Staying Power

IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI

Iwas in my late 30s when I started squash. Although courts were rare at that time, I first encountered squash when my friend took me to Isetan Sports Club in Jiyugaoka. It was fascinating to me. Even in a short time, players were perspiring. The sport appealed to me because I was looking for something to release my energy.

When I saw squash, I thought it was a good fit for me for helping to release stress and, at the same time, maintain my physical strength. Once I was on the court, I didn’t think about anything else. I just focused on the ball. I’ve been enjoying the benefits of squash ever since.

There was a professional squash coach at the sports club, and I took lessons from him. I was playing three or four times a week. Every weekend, I played. Even when playing only for a short time, I could forget everything and use my energy.

I wasn’t that young compared to some of the other players, but I really concentrated on practicing. After about 10 or 12 years, when I was 50, I won the senior division of the Japan championships. I was also runner-up about three times.

Physically, I could stay in shape and squash helped me to recharge mentally. If I had a bad day, just one hour on the court was sufficient for me to feel refreshed.

The most attractive part of joining the Club in 1994 was the squash community, because there were so many people I had never played before. Compared to Japanese clubs, there were so many good foreign players here. Until joining the Club, my level was so-so. Playing better players really helped me to improve step-by-step.

Squash is my passion. If I lose a game, I think about how I can win next time. It sometimes disturbs my sleep! I always want to win.

The only time I haven’t played squash is when I injured my Achilles in about 2000. I collided with a much bigger player here at the Club. I hit the wall and snapped my Achilles tendon. After the operation, I slowly returned to squash.

I now play for an hour, sometimes two hours, four or five times a week. Of course, I take a break between games. Sometimes I practice hitting by myself. Some people ask me how I can do something so monotonous, but I’d like to improve. I also take squash lessons every week with Peter Amaglio and Hitoshi Ushiogi.

Sometimes I forget my age, but when I get on the court with faster players, I really feel my reactions are slower and my power is declining. This is why I want to improve my accuracy and tactics.

I’d like to play for as long as I can. If I have a chance, I’d like to enter a tournament like the Hong Kong Open, which has an 80s division.

Fundamentally, squash has taught me the importance of always improving myself, whether in business or in squash.

Hiroshi Kasugai

As told to INTOUCH’s Nick Jones.