Mariza Ohlsson of Slovenia, the oldest woman playing in the 2024 WSF World Masters, epitomised the indomitable spirit of age-group squash on day four at the Frans Otten Stadion.

The 81-year-old had surgery to remove a tumour in her ovary only three weeks ago, but bravely stuck with her plans to travel from her home in Seattle, USA, to Amsterdam to take part in the women’s 75+ competition.

Having finished third in the 2018 World Masters 75+ competition in Charlottesville and fourth in Wroclaw in 2022, Ohlsson couldn’t resist another crack at the title despite recent personal adversity.

She said: “I originally decided to play the tournament and then have the surgery, but I was in so much pain that I couldn’t wait, so I decided to have the operation first and see how I felt. Obviously, I feel OK as I’m here. I’m perhaps not at my full capacity, but at least I’m here!”

Ohlsson, a 5/8 seed, lost 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 to Australia’s Margaret Hunt-Kemp on Sunday but has two more matches left in women’s 75+ Group A on Monday and Tuesday.

Ohlsson was born in Slovenia then emigrated with her mother to the USA. She now plays at Seattle Athletic Club and at Squash Land in Ljubijana (the world’s only wooden squash club) when she returns to her homeland.

“Only three weeks ago I was on the operating table, but the tumour is out now so I’m extremely happy to be out here playing,” she said. “I started playing squash in my late 30s and have loved the game ever since. I’ve made wonderful lifetime friends.”

Elsewhere in Sunday’s action, the top seeds across all 19 draws remain undefeated, including South Africa’s men’s 70+ no.1 seed Johnny Orsmond, who overcame Canada’s Rashid Aziz in a tight 10-12, 11-9, 12-10, 11-5 affair on the glass showcourt.

Playing in his seventh World Masters, the 70-year-old was roared on by the huge Springbok contingent that has travelled to the Dutch capital.

“I haven’t played for six years so it’s quite a lot of pressure to come in as top seed,” said Orsmond, who resumed playing only three months ago after a serious knee injury. I think if it wasn’t for them [his friends in Pretoria and the South Africa supporters] I wouldn’t have come back.”

Lauren Wagner, the women’s 55+ top seed from Canada, also got off to a winning start by beating Germany’s 17/32 seed Stoerte Becker 11-7, 11-3, 11-1, showcasing powerful ground strokes and graceful movement.

Wagner won the 2018 50+ women’s World title in Charlottesville as an unknown non-seed, having just returned to the game from a 12-year hiatus after having children. She didn’t compete in 2022 in Wroclaw but is determined to win a second World Masters title.

“I feel way more pressure compared to my last Worlds, where nobody knew me,” she said. “I’m pretty strong mentally, but obviously everybody wants to beat me now! I’ve always been pretty fit and I’ve been playing three times a week and following a squash-specific training regime, as well as biking and trail running.”

Brian Cook’s bid for Masters squash history remains on track after the Australian’s 11-9, 11-7, 11-9 win over England’s Michael Hoy in the men’s 75+. Scotland’s Alex Sinclair [5/8] is Cook’s quarter-final obstacle en route to a potential record-breaking seventh World Masters title. Geoff Davenport, the other active player on six titles, had a rest day today but faces South Africa’s Stan Voges in the men’s 65+ fourth round on Monday.

The 2024 WSF World Masters Championships resume with day five on Monday 19 August, with play beginning at 10:00 local time (CEST).

Head to WORLDSQUASH.TV to watch the action live and free.

Click here to view all the results from day four, click here to view the schedule for day five and here to check out all the draws.

The 2024 WSF World Masters Squash Championships are taking place at the Frans Otten Stadion from 15-22 August. Keep up with all the action at wsfworldmasters2024.nl

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