Chris Collects at Broadgate
The money was handed over on the last day of the Super Series
Finals at London's Broadgate arena
England squash international Chris Walker
celebrates his 35th birthday today - and the successful outcome of a bet
he made five years ago with New Zealand's former world champion Ross
Norman.
The Essex-born left-hander reached a career-high world No4 ranking in
November 1996, and the following year bet Norman £100 that he would be
in the PSA top ten on his 35th birthday. Since then, his ranking has
plunged to as low as 40 (in January 2001) and, frustrated by his lack of
success, Walker took a six-month 'sabbatical' to travel the world with
his then girl friend in 2000.
Rejuvenated on his return, Walker became the first qualifier ever to
reach the men's British Open final in June 2001, then in October
represented England for a record sixth successive time in the Men's
World Team Championships in Melbourne.
After a three-year absence, Walker returned to the PSA world top ten in
February 2002 and currently stands at No7.
"Was all the toil and training to get back worth it?" poses Walker, the
oldest player on the PSA Tour. "To get a £100 off Norms - of course it
was!"
"I was
pleased not to wake up this morning with no
hair at all!", added Chris. "Life goes on, and
I just love the idea of proving the doubters
wrong!"
www.chris.walker.net
