Round-Up (TBD): #53 Paris Open Drama, AI Refs & Julian Illingworth: Squash’s Youngest Hall of Famer

This episode is packed! Conor and Bill kick things off with a wrap-up of the 2024 Paris Open, where Mostafa Asal claims back-to-back titles—but not without a bit of controversy along the way. Meanwhile, Nour El Sherbini continues her dominance with another thrilling final. They also dive into the future of refereeing, exploring how AI testing at the event could unlock new possibilities for the sport down the line.

 

Shifting gears, the hosts discuss LA28, providing fresh insights on the Olympic timeline and what the selection criteria might look like. Conor also teases some exciting commercial deals and sponsorships that are about to make headlines in the squash world.

 

And that’s not all! This episode features a special guest, Julian Illingworth, who joins to discuss his remarkable journey to being inducted into the US Squash Hall of Fame. As a nine-time US Men's Champion, Illingworth reflects on his career, from his college days at Yale to his time on the pro circuit.

 

He shares stories of his record-breaking US Open wins, national team experiences, and his approach to training and mental toughness. The episode highlights the key moments and challenges in his storied career.

 

01:18 Welcome Back to the Roundup
02:16 Bill's Cold Morning Routine
03:21 Paris Platinum Event Recap
04:24 Glass Floors Debate
08:47 Greatest Squash Match Ever?
13:43 Mostafa Asal Controversies
19:33 Women's Tournament Highlights
23:29 Paris Trophy Ceremony Critique
25:35 AI Referees in Squash
35:06 Olympic Qualification Challenges
45:06 National Squash League Event
46:06 Qatar Platinum Event Highlights
48:22 Exciting Upcoming PSA Developments

 

49:58 Julian Illingworth joins the show!
50:49 Reflecting on Hall of Fame Induction
51:51 Breaking Records and Handling Pressure
54:11 Coaching and Mental Tricks
57:25 Junior Squash and Technique Evolution
1:03:43 Choosing Between Soccer and Squash
1:06:09 Transition to Yale and College Experience
1:13:26 Memorable Matches and College Squash
1:14:32 Facing the Princeton Champion
1:15:25 Harvard Freshman Year Victory
1:16:07 Senior Year Ivy League Title Match
1:18:06 Training with Mark Talbot
1:20:56 Transition to Professional Squash
1:24:21 Memorable Matches and Moments
1:29:17 PanAm Games and Unusual Matches
1:34:17 Conclusion and Reflections

 

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