Dad smashes charity squash challenge
A DAD is hoping he has smashed a Guinness World Record for the highest number of squash games played in one go.
After making an appeal for players in the Express, Simon Fisher, took on 102 opponents in a marathon 25 hour challenge at Prestbury Squash and Racketball Club.
And after playing from 9.30am on Saturday until 10.30am on Sunday, he believes he has smashed the existing record of 100 games, held by a player from Poland.
The event also raised £2,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).
The father-of-one, who lives near Leek with wife Zoe and their 18-monthold daughter Alana, said: “Everyone went wild when I played the 101st person and I came over a bit emotional. At first I wanted to carry on!”
“I can barely stand and haven’t been able to eat since. I lost ten pounds in just over 24 hours.”
During the record attempt, Simon took just five minutes break an hour, but the challenge went far from smoothly.
He said: “I tripped just four hours in and fell on my ankle. I thought it was all over and was in absolute agony but managed to carry on until the next break when the physiotherapist strapped it up. It feels unbelievable to have broken the record, especially after what I went through. I thought I’d have to ring everyone individually to apologise.
“Raising money for MNDA was my number one priority and the record was number two but it was great to do both! What kept me going was thinking of my father-inlaw and the pain he went through. My pain was nothing compared to that.”
Simon, who is director of engineering company Electroserv, on Lyme Green Business Park, added: “I haven’t had a drink since New Year so I think I’ll have a Stella or a glass of red wine when I feel better. I don’t think I’ll be picking up a squash racket again for a long time!”
The whole event was videoed for verification purposes and witnesses will fill in paperwork to submit to Guinness World Record adjudicators.
Piotr Misilo, from Poland, is the current confirmed record holder after playing 100 people in just over 17 hours.
To donate visit justgiving.com/simonfisher5.