LOCAL squash player, Colin Ramasra has jumped a significant 14 places up the international Professional Squash Association’s (PSA) rankings.
After representing Trinidad and Tobago at two regional tournaments recently, the multiple national champion is now at 306th on the world professional circuit, from his previous 320th spot. Ramasra was pleased with the elevation of his international player status and admitted that he was motivated by increased ranking.
“I’ve already moved up 14 places and have only contested in two professional tournaments. It takes about ten competitions to seal an overall position on the professional circuit. Once I’m selected for other tournaments, I intend to go all the way and continue enhancing my international player status,” stated Ramasra.
He was determined to progress further up the international rankings and hoped to be selected for forthcoming competitions. The 27-year-old admitted that getting into more professional meets would be a bit difficult due to his current ranking. His recent performances at the two regional tournaments (El Salvador and Costa Rica) saw him get eliminated in the second round and first round of qualifying matches respectively.
“My performance in Costa Rica was slightly off simply because I didn’t play in a competition for about three months. But when I got to El Salvador I was more confident and settled and managed to get into the second round. In that second round El Salvador open match, I almost beat the guy but proudly went down to a very high-ranked player,” continued Ramasra.
In October of last year, the local player was in top form and was ranked at 192nd on the international circuit, and was previously ranked at 138th. Ramasra revealed that he wanted to be back at that position but it all depended on him being selected to play by the PSA.
“We have to sign up for competitions online. It’s a bit harder when you’re ranked lower down the charts because there are so many players ahead of you who also want to be chosen. But once I am selected I intend to play my heart out because it’s the only way professional players can climb the global ranking ladder,” he mentioned. Ramasra has already resumed training and hopes to be called for top tournaments from November.
“I prefer to play in tournaments in and around the Americas. I may have to go to Europe before year’s end but if this is what I have to do to enhance my overall ranking, I will. These are the sacrifices that athletes in all sporting disciplines have to make to ensure that they stay ahead of their game,” he added.
Additionally, the experienced squash player acknowledged the Ministry of Sport and his corporate sponsors who have financially assisted him in getting to tournaments. He hailed all the supporters of local and international squash and urged young enthusiasts to get more involved in the sport. All with the intention of raising the awareness of squash on a local, regional and international scale.
Source: www.newsday.co.tt
By Jonathan Ramnanansingh