OLYMPIO NATIONAL SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS – 2001

Mark Sealy was unstoppable in the final of the Olympio National Squash Championships 2001 last night at the Barbados Squash Club Marine House courts. Chasing Rudy Goodridge’s record of eight National titles, Mark played consistent, accurate and sometimes brilliant squash to gleefully take his seventh title.

Mark lost his #1 ranking through injury last year and began his quest with the #3 seeding. He defeated Goodridge’s nephew, Under-17 National representative, Fabian Goodridge, in the first round, then moved easily through the quarterfinal stage with a win over Nicky Marshall. This set him up for a semi-final showdown with the #2 seed, defending National Champion and Barbados’ Under-19 Champion, Gavin Cumberbatch. Sealy controlled the match with very tight drives and excellent drop shots. Cumberbatch battled from match point down in the third to win that game 10/8, but it only delayed the inevitable 3-1 victory for Sealy. This took him into the final to face the #1 seed Marlon White. White played his best squash of the tournament, but Sealy was simply on fire and he easily disposed of the #1, 10/8 9/4 9/1.

Sealy also took the Men’s Over-35 title this year defeating John Cumberbatch 9/3 9/0 9/2

Photo Gallery – Olympio National Squash Championships 2001

Click on photos to enlarge …

It took just eighteen minutes for the Ladies #1 seed, Karen Hogarth, to defeat the #2 seed, and defending Champion, Andrea Goodridge, 9/2 9/0 9/3, to lift her first National title.

The Men’s 3rd/4th place playoff between Gavin Cumberbatch and #7 seed Tim O’Neal was not played as O’Neal had aggravated a knee injury during his semifinal match with Marlon White. O’Neal had an excellent tournament, taking out the #4 seed, Nigel Griffith in a thrilling 5-set quarterfinal match, and earning the award for the Most Improved Player of the tournament.

#3 seed, Kristina Evelyn, having played good, consistent squash throughout the tournament, took third place in the Ladies Open defeating #4 seed Sonia Perkins, 9/6 9/4 9/5.

Full Results from the Final Day
Ladies Plate Final: Nadia McCarthy defeated Margaret Levett 9/3 9/2 1/9 9/7
Men’s Classic Plate Final: Nigel Griffith defeated John Cumberbatch 9/4 6/9 9/6 2/9 9/2
Men’s Plate Final: Sylvester Nurse defeated Don Benn 4/9 9/5 9/0 9/6
Men’s Open 3rd/4th: Gavin Cumberbatch defeated Tin O’Neal W/O
Ladies Open 3rd/4th: Kristina Evelyn defeated Sonia Perkins 9/6 9/4 9/5
Men’s Consolation Plate Final: Shawn Simpson defeated Fabian Goodridge 9/1 9/6 10/8
Ladies Classic Plate Final: Jenny Armstrong-Ali defeated Lilianna Seale 9/6 9/6 9/0
Ladies Over-40 Final: Lynn Johnson defeated Elizabeth Johnson 10/8 9/3 9/1
Ladies Final: Karen Hogarth defeated Andrea Goodridge 9/2 9/0 9/3
Men’s Final: Mark Sealy defeated Marlon White 10/8 9/4 9/1

Full List of Winners for the Veteran’s and the Open Tournament

Submitted by Jennifer Armstrong-Ali For Barbados Squash Rackets Association
Thanks Jenny!