Nicol David & Gregory Gaultier Win World Games Gold by Howard Harding August 5, 2013 -
Five nations came away with Squash medals in the 9th staging of the
World Games in the Colombian city of Cali, with Malaysia's world number
one Nicol David striking gold for a record third time in a row in the
women's championship and world No2 Gregory Gaultier claiming the first
ever gold medal for France in the men's event.
The World Games squash
action - featuring 40 of the sport's leading men and women athletes,
representing 20 member nations - took place at Club Caniasgordas, which
boasts six glass back courts plus an all-glass show court.
The supreme Nicol
David reached the latest milestone in her illustrious squash career
when she beat Dutch rival Natalie Grinham (both pictured below) 11-6,
11-9, 11-8 in a repeat of the 2009 final in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei.
The 29-year-old from
Penang, who has topped the world rankings unopposed since August 2006,
not only celebrated her 13th World Games match win in a row since July
2005, when she won her maiden title in Germany, but her 13th without
dropping a game!
But Grinham, a former
world No2 who won a record three Commonwealth Games gold medals for
Australia in 2006, gave David a good run for her money. The first game
was evenly poised up to 4-4 before the favourite raced away to collect
the first with some steady squash. Throughout the match David was
aggressive whilst Grinham mixed it up with some beautiful lobs and
delicate drops - but David was always there to pick them up, and
ultimately prevailed in straight games.
"It's so nice to win a
medal at a multi-sport event," said David - who now boasts 10 world
title wins, with her third World Games crown added to the record seven
World Open trophies she has won between 2005 and 2012.
The second final was
certain to provide a new men's World Games champion - with Gaultier
taking on surprise opponent Simon Rosner, the third seed who upset
England's No2 seed Peter Barker in the semi-finals to become Germany's
first ever finalist. Gaultier went into the match boasting a 10-0
career head-to-head record over his opponent, ranked 12 in the world.
The match was keenly
contested. The first game saw some amazing attacking shots, some
unbelievable retrieving by both players and the score line read 10-9
game ball to Rosner. During the final rally, a ball is called out and
the referee announced 11-9 game to the German.
However Gaultier
appealed and Rosner demonstrated impressive sportsmanship by agreeing
to play a let - a great gesture which Gaultier acknowledged.
Nevertheless, Rosner took the game to open up a surprise first game
lead.
Errors crept into the
German's game in the second as Gaultier drew level. Gaultier maintained
the upper hand thereafter to march through to his 9-11, 11-7, 11-5,
11-4 win to give the gold medal to France.
"I'm so happy to
contribute this gold to the total tally of medals to my country," said
Gaultier afterwards - alluding to the bronze medal won earlier by
compatriot Camille Serme after upsetting second-seeded Malaysian Low
Wee Wern 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 in the women's play-off.
"I'm so happy to win bronze for my country," said the very excited world No12 from Creteil.
Popular local hero
Miguel Angel Rodriguez claimed the first World Games medal for Colombia
after Barker was forced to concede the men's bronze medal play-off due
to injury.
After treating the
packed crowd to an exhibition match against Peruvian youngster Diego
Elias, Rodriguez addressed the gallery in Spanish saying what an honour
it was for him and his country to win the bronze.
Medals for the women's
event were presented by Susie Simcock, Emeritus President of the World
Squash Federation, whilst the men's medals were presented by Jacques
Fontaine, the WSF representative at the event (Picture above shows
men's medallists (L to R) Rosner, Gaultier & Rodriguez). Colombian
Squash President Pablo Serna gave away the mascots.
"What a three days we
have had," said Competition Manager Major Maniam. "Such fantastic
squash, so competitive, a really great atmosphere and some real
surprise results. There is something special about being part of
multi-sport events - like we also are in the Asian Games and
Commonwealth Games - the crowds were in awe, the players loved it, and
I did too.
"All the conversation
was about the Olympic vote next month and how squash would be a great
addition if we succeed for 2020. No doubt on that score!"
