Two-time national senior squash champion Alex Arjoon says he has been motivated by the experience of competing against world number 57 Christopher Gordon last week and hopes to up his game and make the most of every opportunity to develop his skills in 2013.
Arjoon, the national men’s singles squash champion for the last two years, defeating world class women’s player Nicolette Fernandes in the 2012 editions, was outclassed by Gordon in last week’s exhibition tournament.
Currently a sophomore at Franklin and Marshall Liberal Art College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA, Arjoon, said that the experience of competing against such a high calibre player was exciting and inspiring.
“The exhibition was an amazing experience. The turnout was much larger than we anticipated and there was so much positive energy of not only tremendous support but also everyone coming together to enjoy a mutual interest, squash,” Arjoon said.
The 20-year-old national champion also said, “It isn’t often we get chances to play at this level of skill and pace and I can speak for the other players as well in that they definitely had a good time.”
Although Arjoon plays competitively on the US college circuit, he said that the level of a professional player like Gordon is much above him.
“It is unreasonable to compare the two of us because Chris’ has dedicated his whole life to the sport. Squash is a huge part of my life as well but I am not on the pro circuit training everyday like he is,” Arjoon said.
Arjoon said that he is aware of the how much dedication and effort is required to get to that level, however, it’s an aspiration of his to reach that level and be able to compete as phenomenal or better than Gordon who won the 2011 El Salvador Open.
“I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to play as well as Chris does. Actually, that would be amazing,” Arjoon said.
He said too, “It just goes to show how much of a long way I have to go if I want to compete at a high level. Not necessarily Chris’ level but a level where I can really consider myself a very strong player.”
Arjoon said that he has to battle with his aspirations of completing his college education and his dreams of attaining excellence in squash. Nevertheless, the former junior Caribbean champion said that he will be ready and willing to capitalise on an opportunity to play squash at the highest level as long as he can do so without sacrificing his academic aspirations.
“If the opportunity presents itself where I can be able to work to achieve that level of success while still being able to pursue my academic goals then absolutely (I would take it).”
