James Willstrop claimed his first AJ Bell National Squash Championship in over 10 years as he overcame second seed Daryl Selby.

Playing in his tenth championships final, the 35-year-old Commonwealth champion beat Team England compatriot Selby 11-5, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7 to lift the national trophy for the third time in his illustrious career.

Having last won the title in 2008, Willstrop was delighted to be able to hold off the challenge of his younger rivals as he approaches the twilight of his career.

“To achieve a big title like that with so many big players is fantastic,” Willstrop told England Squash. “My body got through it.” 

“It’s a huge title and a very special thing to be able to achieve, so I’m very, very happy.

“In a sport like squash, it’s not an easy sport to keep playing when you’re old, and historically speaking we are old squash players.”

 

Bradshaw on way to European Indoors

Pole-vaulter Holly Bradshaw put on a dominant display to win at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham with the second best jump of her career.

The Blackburn Harrier cleared 4.81m on her first attempt to record a season’s best and secure her place at next month’s European Indoor Championships in Glasgow.

Despite coming just short of breaking her own British record with failed attempts at 4.88m, Bradshaw’s victory was made all the more impressive by seeing off rivals that included Olympic, World and European champion Katerina Stefanidi.

Bradshaw is one sixteen Team England athletes from last year’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games who have been selected to compete at the European Indoor Championships.

Also included are:

Chris Baker – High Jump

Shelayna Oskan-Clarke – 800m

Charlie Grice – 3000m

Nathan Douglas – Triple Jump

Elliot Giles – 1500m

David King – 60m Hurdles

Morgan Lake – High Jump

Sarah McDonald – 1500m

Sophie McKinna – Shot Put

Asha Philip – 60m

Andrew Pozzi – 60m Hurdles

Jazmin Sawyers – Long Jump

Amelia Strickler – Shot Put

Katarina Johnson-Thompson – Pentathlon

Adelle Tracey – 800m

GB teams defeated down under in FIH Pro League

Great Britain were unable to taste victory as both the men’s and women’s hockey teams were beaten by Australia in Perth.

After two successive FIH Pro League wins versus Spain and New Zealand, GB’s men slipped to a 2-0 loss, before GB’s women suffered the same fate losing 3-0 against the hosts.

Next up for the women’s team is a trip to Changzhou to take on China this weekend. You can see them in action at 0600 on Saturday 23, February.