The astonishing performance of the reigning Barbados and Caribbean Squash Champion, Karen Meakins, continued this afternoon (Friday) local time when she impressively dismissed the #2 seed in the semi-finals of the Ladies Over-35 age group to reach the final of the prestigious 10th biennial World Squash Federation (WSF) World Masters Championships being held from August 23rd to 28th in Cologne, Germany.
Meakins had to be at her best in her semi-final encounter against the second seed, Yoriko Michishita, from Japan and got off to a flying start winning the first game for the loss of only three points. Her experienced Japanese opponent hit back immediately, taking the second game at seven before the Barbados ladies captain really got going and finished off the last two games in style, winning 11-3, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6 in just over half an hour. Meakins opponent in the Ladies Over-35 final will be, as expected, the top seed and former 17-time German national champion and former World #6, Sabine Schoene who, like Meakins, is making her first appearance in this age group at these World Masters Championships.
‘I can’t believe I’ve made the final’ Karen noted with delight after her historic win. ‘After everything I have worked so hard for all year long, this is like icing on the cake! Win or lose tomorrow I am so proud of what I have achieved so far this year, and I am especially pleased with what I have accomplished here in Germany because I am here just by myself, with no teammates or coach to cheer for me or to offer me advice.’ ‘But I am proudly flying the Barbados flag all the time I am here and I hope to do well in the final tomorrow,’ she added.
The Ladies Over-35 final will be played tomorrow (Saturday) at the massive ACR Sportscentre in Cologne starting at 8:10 a.m. Barbados time.
