Two medals for Dany Lessard at the Racketlon Doubles World Championships
This tournament was held in Danemark in May 2024. Like last year, I was the only Canadian at these games. I was proud to see our flag next to 17 other countries and to compete the best I could. Overall, I did very well with 2 medals in Doubles. Silver in Men’s Doubles age 65 and above, and Bronze in Mixed Doubles 55 and above. Thanks to my partners Graham King from Switzerland and Katrin Maldre from around Chicago, USA. Following these championships, there was a smaller Singles tournament and I finished second for Silver in the category 65 and above.
I couldn’t avoid a smile to myself when a work colleagues not aware of my sport activities told me to rest well during my vacations. With five matches to play on the first day of the competition, I knew that it was not the time to rest. I was quite happy with my old body, being able to push it to the limit and beyond. The best rally I remember was the last but important point of a squash game against Danish player Nils Ole Andersen. Out of the squash court, his relative or fan told me he was saying to himself: he’s not going to get to this one, he’s not going to get to that one, and so on for 3 or 4 shots. Like a perfect drive on a golf course, it is for moments like these that I keep playing.
I registered for the Singles World Championships at the end of July in Netherlands. As I often say, there is as much fun sometimes during the preparation and anticipation, as there is during the tournament. In other words, it is not only the destination that counts, but the journey as well.
Dany Lessard