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Retiring - The toughest decision in sport
Mark Chaloner calls it a day in Boston ... |
PSA
President Mark Chaloner decided that it was time to hang up
his racket during the Motor City Open in Detroit, but saved his last
competitive performance for the US Open in Boston ...
His defeat by Anthony Ricketts meant the end of one road for one of
the the game's most respected players ...
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Mark
Chaloner:
6 Facts ...
from Howard Harding
* Scored the
winning rubber to give England the World Team Championship in
1995
* Only squash player to receive an award from the British
Sports Writers Assoc. (Best International Newcomer, 1997).
* First top player to be coached by John Milton, now Swedish
National Coach.
* Thrashed Peter Nicol on the very day (1st Feb 1998) he
became world #1 for the first time.
* Led Broxbourne to National League title in 2000.
* Best ranking: 7 (Sep 2001) |
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 I
have been toying with the idea of retirement for some while, but it
has not been the right time until now.
The reason is mainly due to my body's refusal to go through with the
demands competitive squash requires, at the speed which I expect and
therefore a certain amount of frustration occurs.
Arrgghh! So it became crystal clear in my mind on Friday 3rd Nov
that it was time to move on. I came to this decision with the
comfort of announcing it at one of my all time favourite events
which I have played on numerous occasions, that being 'The Motor
City Open' held at the BAC - Birmingham Athletic Club in Detroit.
This event should be a blueprint of how club events should be run
and it is most definitely a players favourite.
 My
final on court appearance - in PSA I might add - was at the US Open
in Boston. I don't intend however, just to disappear off the face of
the squash World! I would like to continue my role on the PSA board,
in whatever capacity that may be with not being a current player -
yet to be determined - this depends of course if the players are
keen on this?!
I am also going to devote more time to my wife, of course, and
continue helping to build Harrow Sports distribution in the UK and
World wide. And for some competitive action, I may well be seen with
more regularity on the Hardball Doubles scene throughout North
America! Along with a few squash invitation events and exhibitions
too.
 So
with all of the above I should still be able to maintain a
reasonable physique, stay more or less sane, still know what I'm
talking about and finally have a good sense of humour!?!
It's been a hell of an experience.....I'd recommend it to anyone,
without hesitation.
See you around.
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