Meakins to miss World Masters title defence

Two-time reigning Ladies Over-50 World Champion Karen Meakins will not defend her title at the 2026 World Squash Masters Championships in Perth, Australia, because of a lingering knee problem and the high cost of making the trip.

The 15-time former national champion, who has competed at every World Masters tournament since 2010, said the decision to miss this year’s championships was a difficult one.

“I had knee surgery last November and haven’t recovered well. With the tournament being in Australia this year, I would have needed to arrive at least a week before the tournament to get over the jet lag and acclimatize to the time difference.”

Meakins said flights and accommodation would have cost around $13 000.

“Given the financial challenge, coupled with the fact that I’m just not 100 per cent fit with my knee issue, I made the tough decision not to go.”

Barbados will still be represented by four players at the championships, which run from August 30 to September 6.

Eight-time former Men’s National Squash Champion Mark Sealy, who has won multiple Caribbean veterans titles over the past two decades and captured the Canadian M+60 Masters title earlier this year, is among the contingent.

Sealy is seeded 5/8 in the M+65 draw and received a first-round bye.

Also representing Barbados are 1991 Barbados National Ladies Squash Champion Lynn deCambra-McLeod, her daughter Muffin Stollmeyer and Valerie Worrell.

(PR)