| James Willstrop
2nd Feb 2010
The tournament of tournaments, billed as the biggest spectator event in the sport of squash was played in New York last week. In a grand venue, a hall in the centre of Grand Central Station, in the Tournament of Champions, this Ackworth Old Scholar produced the best match of his already impressive career to beat Ramy Ashour in the final. Ramy is currently ranked World Number One!! We send James our warmest congratulations!
1st Sept 2001
Although we are sad to lose him - we are delighted that James has launched his profession squash career and wish him every success!! James recently shared some limelight with David Beckham, Ellen Macarthur and Michael Schumacher at the Variety Club Awards where he was voted Young Sportsman of the Year. born:- 15th August 1983 Father:- Malcolm, International Squash Coach Mother:- Lesley, County Standard Squash Player Brothers:- Christy Willstrop, Senior & Junior International David Campion, Junior International Runner-up World U19 Championship |
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Schools:Mill Dam Primary, Ackworth School
Interests:All other sports (especially cricket), music and the theatre
Squash career:was on court early - own choice! - and could hit the ball abovethe tin at 2 years old. Played Jonah Barrington at the age of sixand played in the British U12 championship at the same age.
Won theHuddersfield U10 Open from a strong field at the age of seven andhas since won over 40 major titles.
He has won theBritish Closed U12, U14, U16 and U17 (twice) championships andthe U14 Open. He captained the England U19 junior team to victory in the European Junior Team Championships. Towards the end of 2003 he won the inaugural Gerrard British U23 Super 8 Championships
He now stands 6'4"
Currently World Junior Champion, he is also ranked 13 in the World on the professional tour and is widely recognised as the mostpromising young player in the country and one of the mostpromising in the world.
Played forYorkshire's Senior team at the age of 15 and led England's U17'sto vistory over Germany in the European U17 Championships in May'99.
Described by JonahBarrington as "a gentleman of the courts" and as"an outstanding technician", James is well-known forhis fairness, good manners on court and willingness to play theball.
October 1999 - wonBritish U17 Closed Championship
December 1999 -won British U17 Open Championship
April 2000 - wonBritish U19 Closed Championship
April 2000 -runner-up European U19
July 2000 -semi-finalist World U19
In early 2000(aged 16) he played number 1 in the winning team in the EuropeanU19, U17 and the World U19 matches. He captained the UKCommonwealth Youth Team to their win also.
He won theFairplay Award at the World U19 Championship, the 'YoungSportsman of the Year' award in Yorkshire, and the 'Young Playerof the Year' award in both Yorkshire SRA and UK SRA.
He represented theSRA at the Manchester Opening by HRH Queen Elizabeth.
He plays hockeyand soccer for the school teams, cricket for the school and forFeatherstone and plays the double bass in the orchestra. He isinterested in sports, music and drama.