Squash player, 80, wins record seventh title

An 80-year-old woman has beaten the women's world record for squash masters titles after winning a tournament in Australia.

Ann Manley, from Stoke Bishop, Bristol, has loved the sport ever since she was a teenager and this month won the over 80s category at the World Squash Masters Championships in Perth.

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Manley now has seven titles in different age groups, tying her for the crown of most titles won by a player with Australia's Geoff Davenport.

She had thought of making this her last tournament, but now may continue. "Its lovely having the age events so you can keep playing at your own standard," Manley said.

"I said before this one that I would give up, but I don't know [if I will]," she added. "I'll see if my body still holds together."

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Manley said there was a strong sense of community at the squash events, despite the travelling and the physical toll of competing.

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She only decided to enter the tournament in Perth after friends from South Africa and France also signed up.

Manley has played with many of the same people through the years and said she has adapted her game to remain top of the pile.

"You have to change your game a bit as you get older and get a bit devious," she said.

One of Manley's occasional opponents is her son-in-law Nick Carline, who says he routinely loses to Manley despite being around half her age.

"It's very frustrating," he said. "She's got the most amazing accuracy."

He added: "Squash is played on a small court so you can carry on playing later in life if you're able to read the game, and she reads me very well."

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Carline said the last time he played Manley he managed to get one game over which was an achievement.

Given her successful career, Manley said she gets very few challengers at Redland Green Squash and Tennis Club, where she trains but still wants to encourage new people to pick up the squash racket.

"Just have a go, its brilliant, its an amazing game and you get rid of a lot of energy in a very quick time," she said.

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