Two world champs in Chapman family
Canterbury’s Paddy Chapman says it was ‘‘a great feeling’’ to win the world association croquet title to complete a unique family double.
The 30-year-old - whose wife Miranda Chapman won the world’s women’s title in
2015 - became New Zealand’s second male world champion when he conquered top seed Reg Bamford, in a ninehour five-game (26tp-19,
0-26tp, 0-26tp, 26tp-11, 26tp-9) final last Sunday in Wellington.
‘‘It’s a great feeling to achieve something that I’ve aspired to for almost 20 years, since beginning the game at the age of 11,’’ Chapman said.
‘‘Winning the worlds would always be special, but the fact that I managed to do so in my home country, in front of John Prince [my mentor] and numerous other people who have supported me over many years, made it extra special for me.
‘‘It was also a great thrill to beat Reg, who I regard as the best player in the world. He plays the kind of croquet that I still aspire to, and is both a great champion and a great person.’’
Chapman was still at primary school when he first took up croquet at his mother’s Christchurch club. He was coached by Prince, a member of champion New Zealand MacRobertson Shield teams who first represented his country as a
12-year-old. Chapman, the number one ranked New Zealander, became only the second New Zealander to win the AC world championships after Joe Hogan, who won the inaugural tournament in
1989.
Hogan also played in the
2018 Championships, having made a comeback to croquet last year after a long break. He made the cut to the final
32.
‘‘To follow in the footsteps of a legendary campaigner like Joe Hogan is a great honour,’’ said Chapman.
‘‘I spoke to Joe shortly after the match finished and he was absolutely thrilled to finally have another NZ ‘‘member of the club’’.
Chapman - the world final runner-up in 2013 - told Radio New Zealand it was nice to ‘‘level the score’’ with his wife.
‘‘We try not to talk about croquet too much. We get enough of that at tournaments - I’d like to think we lead a fairly normal life.’’
The couple are based in Nottingham. Miranda is from Adelaide where Paddy joined her in 2008 before they moved to England two years later.