South Africa swept the boards at the eighth World Masters Squash Championships in Cape Town when the South African players won five gold, five silver and 12 bronze medals.
England finished second with six gold, six silver and six bronze while Australia’s tally was five gold, two silver and two bronze.
Craig van der Wath and Peter Fahrenheim created history as they each won their third masters titles.
Fahrenheim, who was victorious in 1997 in the 65 to 69 section, won the 70+ event in 2001 and collected the inaugural 75+ section title this year when he defeated fellow South African Frank Allison of Cape Town in straight games in the final.
Van der Wath is the second male player to defend his age-group title as he won the 35 to 39 events in 2001 and 2003, and by outplaying England’s Jonathan Clark captured the 40 to 44 title.
Mike Tootill won the men’s 35 to 39 event defeating Neil Frankland of England 3-1.
Angie Clifton-Parks and Janet van der Westhuizen added to the gold tally when they defeated Viv Doeg and Helena Kruger in all South African finals to become the respective 40 to 44 and 45 to 49 winners.
Glenda Erasmus came within a whisker of winning the sixth gold when she held match point at 9-8 in the third against England’s Barbara Sanderson in the inaugural 65+ women’s section but had to settle for silver when Sanderson saved the match point, took the game 10-9 and cantered through the next two games to win 3-2. — Sapa