UW prof captures world masters squash title
Armitage credits coach’s ‘expertise’ for help in tough spots
WATERLOO — Howard Armitage squashed the competition.
The University of Waterloo professor dispatched five worthy opponents to capture his first world masters squash championship last weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“This is one of the toughest draws I think I’ve been in, in some time,” he said. “I felt very, very good about being the guy who managed to get to the top.”
Armitage took gold in the division for players aged 75 to 79 years old.
But don’t be fooled by the age bracket. There were some serious lifelong swatters vying for the crown.
Australian national champ Brian Lyons was among them. So too was Desmond Sacco, a former world champion and South Africa’s current court king. American Mike Gough was also in the mix after knocking out the tournament’s top seed.
But all three were eliminated by Armitage.
The impressive run set up an all-Canadian gold medal showdown with rival — and Canadian champion — Gerry Poulton, a retired professor of organic chemistry from the University of Victoria.
The two had history.
“I beat Gerry years ago but then he became really dedicated to the game, going all around the world playing in tournaments and he has become what I like to call tournament tough,” said Armitage.
“I just felt in the back of my mind that this could be my year and thankfully I prevailed and it turned out to be that way.”
The clash went to five sets. Armitage trailed 2-1 before winning the final two, including a tense 15-13 set.
The 75-year-old credits Northfield Racquet Club coach Jamie Hickox, who was once ranked 15th in the world, for giving him an edge.
“I do realize at certain times I was able to make choices and shots that I might not have made without his expertise sort of in my mind, guiding me as to what I should do,” said Armitage.
When the match ended, Armitage got a gold medal, a handshake and the glory of being named champ.
It was a high point in the sport for the Montreal native, who moved to Waterloo Region in 1981.
His affinity with squash dates back more than 50 years. He was in his 20s when he first picked up the sport while working in Nairobi, Kenya.
“I loved the country but there were no sports like hockey or baseball that I could play,” recalled Armitage, who teaches accounting and finance in the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business at UW. “One day someone said I should go see the players that are fooling around on the squash courts.” So, he did.
And when the swift serving player on the court asked if anyone in the gallery wanted to smash a few balls, Armitage volunteered.
As it turned out, the mystery man with the racquet was Brit Jonah Barrington, then the world’s top player who was dubbed “Mr. Squash.”
Armitage has been at it ever since.
“I’ve been so fortunate that I haven’t had the same kind of knee and hip problems that derail a lot of very good athletes,” he said.
The world masters championships run every two years. The next one goes in Poland in 2020 and Armitage is eyeing a title defence. “I love playing, it’s a way to stay healthy and I enjoy the competition,” he said. “The bones have stayed stable so hopefully I can keep this going another few years.”