WEST Warwickshire Sports Club’s Deon Saffery will be heading off to the Malaysian Open squash tournament tomorrow less than two weeks after winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
The 26-year-old will be representing Wales and will up against many of Commonwealth opponents as well as a strong Egyptian side.
Saffery won gold in the consolation plate (after losing her second singles match) on Sunday, August 3 the last day of the games in front of 2,500 spectators at the Scotstoun Sports Campus in Glasgow.
“The experience on its own was a one off and I can’t explain how special it was,” she said.
“I was star-struck in the Athlete’s Village with so many well known athletes around and there you are having lunch with same of them.
“To receive a medal on the show court was deffinitle a special moment.
“The whole experience makes you want to be at the Gold Coast Games in four years time and squash player sare supposed to be at their peak at 30 so it will be perfect for me.”
The games, support, staff were amazing and so happy to see you there.
the squash was good although I didn’t get as far as I wanted.
In the women’s singles Saffery beat Kimberley Borg Cauchi of Malta 3-1 and then lost to Joshana Chinappa of India 3-1 in the round of 32 who went on to win gold in the women’s doubles.
In in the mixed doubles with David Evans the pair got through their pool matches but were unsuccessful in the last 16 where they were beaten by Indian pair Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal (who wet in to win gold in the women’s doubles withChinappa).
Saffery who reached the quarter finals in the Women’s Doubles with partner Tesni Evans and lost out to Australian pair Kasey Brown and Rachael Grinham 2-0, who went on to lose in the bronze medal match (Grinham also won gold in the mixed event).
The singles exit meant that Saffery went on to play in the consolation plate where she got through five matches (one of her opponents retired).
“This was a real showcase for the sport and on televuision with all the matches sold out from the second rounds.The set up was excellent.
The Commonwealth Games is the only major multi-sport event where squash is included in the programme with the Olympic Games yet to take it on. However, eth World Squash Federation is still pushing for its inclusion.
Saffery will fly out to Malaysia tomorrow and spent two weeks competing at the open, and one other smaller tournament, before competing in the Chinese Open.
In order to keep taking part in international competitions Saffery is always on the lookout for sponsors and partners to work with. If you would like to sponsor her get in touch by email: [email protected].
Deon’s Plate Victory
Last 32
Dorothy Boyce – Papua New Guinea – 3-0
Last 16
Sarah Taylor – Jersey – Retired
Quarter Final
Nadindhi Nudagana – Sri Lanka – 3-0
Semi Final
Vanessa Florens – Mauritius – 3-0
Final
Anaka Alankamony – India – 3-1
