Team Seattle Competes at World Masters Squash 2018

SQUASH! FLAGS! ICE! ADVIL! FUN! FRIENDS! BEERS! These were the core elements of the World Masters Squash 2018 tournament, held in Charlottesville, VA.  Ten Seattle Squash Players competed and were among the 755 players from 55 countries, competing for world titles in age groups ranging from 35+ yrs old to 80+ yrs old.   This is the first time that this bi-annual event has been held in the United States, so for many of those on Team Seattle this was the first chance they had to participate – but it certainly won’t be the last.  

With months of preparation and training by squash pro Tatu Murronmaa, Team Seattle arrived in Charlottesville ready to take on players from all around the world. Mariza Ohlsson achieved the highest level of success, winning a bronze medal in the Women’s 75+ division.   And despite spending most of his time coaching the rest of the team, Tatu took 6th place in the Men’s 40+ division – an historically challenging division full of top players.  Naveen Garg and Wibe Wegemans were tireless promoters of Seattle Urban Squash, trading t-shirts and making bets with opponents to raise money for the cause. The Seattle Team proudly dawned Team USA clothes with Seattle Squash and Seattle Athletic Club Logos, thanks to both the Seattle Squash Association and Seattle Athletic Club.

Masters events include many jokes about how old you really are, past injuries and bionic body parts. But the best part of all is spending time with passionate squash players in an atmosphere where the usual borders between nations dissolve the moment a post-match beer has been shared!

The team came back to Seattle with such passion and enthusiasm, that they were all back on the court the next day training for the next World Masters in Poland in 2020.

Team Seattle

Tatu Murronmaa, Mariza Ohlsson, Lulu Chou Collet, Alvaro Collet, Karen Arango, Laura Bachman, Carol Odell, Naveen Garg, Wibe Wegemans, and Jay Prince