Seventy-year-old Wick squash player set to earn first Scottish cap
Wick squash player Willie Jappy is looking forward to winning his first Scottish cap at the age of 70.
His performances on the national circuit over the past year have earned him a place in the Masters Home International competition in Nottingham this weekend.
It is a rich reward for his long-term dedication to the sport and the thousands of miles he has clocked up to take part in regional and national championships.
He sealed his spot in the over-70s Scottish team when he reached the last four in his age group at the Scottish Masters in Aberdeen in February.
Ranked five, he beat Aberdeen-based duo John Dewar and fourth seed Keith Hobson, both in straight sets, before losing out 5-11, 7-11, 6-11 to top seed and eventual winner Ian Ross, from Glasgow.
Shortly before, he had won the West of Scotland Masters in which he was unseeded. He defeated number one seed Emilio Fazzi in the semi before clinching the title in a marathon five setter versus Glasgow’s David Sturman.
What has proven a memorable season for Willie had earlier seen him reach the semi-finals of the Tayside and Fife Masters in September and win the Highlands and Islands Masters on his home court in October.
He sits second, on 1072, in the Scottish points rankings behind Fazzi, from Glasgow, on 1095. Ross is third on 1065.
Willie has been selected to wear the dark blue shirt along with team captain Fazzi, Ross, Hobson, Sturman and Werner Kittel.
The retired Dounreay worker said: “Before the Scottish, I knew what I had to do to win one of the four automatic places. I ended up comfortably making it into the team, so I was fair delighted.”
Over the past month, he has been maintaining his regular five days-a-week training regime and has also had competitive outings to Gordonstoun and with the Caithness team in the annual inter-county away to Orkney.
He is now eagerly looking forward to earning his first cap after his 20-year stint on the Masters circuit.
Wick Squash Club secretary Steve Smith, a long-standing weekly opponent and his training partner, is thrilled but not surprised about Willie’s honour.
“He’s done extremely well,” Steve said. “Everybody at the club is fully behind him and rooting for him.”
He added: “We're unsure whether a Wick Squash Club member has represented Scotland before.”