Jonathan Power

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Jonathan Power. Many would not know the name, but ask any squash player in the world, and they will know whom you are talking about. From the age of 12, when I began playing squash, I have heard people talking all about him, from his flamboyant personality to his numerous range of deceptive shots, and there is a reason for all of that, but I never really understood all of this until I met him. 

Jonathan was born in Comox, British Columbia on August 10^th, 1974. At the age of 7 he began playing squash at the Canadian military base, with is father, who was director of athletics. He was an extremely talented player, and then proceeded to turn pro at the age of 16, where he began playing in the PSA (Professional Squash Association). In 1997 after some great triumphs, and lots of hard training he became ranked "top ten" in PSA. Later on in that year, Power began to train much more intensely with the help of Mike Way, and by 1999 he was world champion, and was ranked number one in PSA. This was a huge triumph because it put North America, and even Canada on the map because Jonathan was the first North American to achieve either of these titles. 

Power later became even more well known, not just because of his amazing ability to play the game, but because of his emotional and verbal outbursts. Instead of having these emotions get in the way of him playing the game, he turned them to his advantage in order to become very focused and "in the game". Throughout Power's 15-year career he claimed 36 tour titles, which include the World Open, the British Open, and the Commonwealth games, which are some of the biggest and most prestigious squash titles. 

Throughout his career, Jonathan had one of the biggest squash rivalries in history with British player Peter Nicol. Throughout their rivalry, Nicol won 22 matches against Power, won 74 games, and ended with 1707 PSA points. Power won 21 matches, 75 games, and ended with 1748 points. PSA points are undoubtedly the most important aspect, since that is what the PSA rank goes by, so in the end I think that Power came through with the victory. 

After Power retired, he began the biggest task he had ever undertaken He began coaching a new generation of North American junior squash players through his summer "Power Squash Academy", And his dedication to the National Squash academy, which was deemed "Canada's National Squash Center of Excellence". At the national squash academy Jonathan trains with many young juniors in his High Performance Group, which he runs on both Tuesday and Thursday. Jonathan also travels with young elite junior squash athletes to National and International events; he went to the U.S. open with a bunch of juniors this year, to coach them, and help them improve their game. He has been doing all of these things for some time, and some of these juniors have even become young pros with whom Jonathan trains daily.

Jonathan has been invaluable in the founding of "TDOT Urban Squash Toronto", which is a non profit organization that helps young children who are I difficult situations from the Jane and finch area reach their potential through squash, academics and mentoring, which begins sometime this year.

               The reason that Jonathan is a hero to me is because I went to the Power squash Academy summer camp he hosted in the United States, he was a very good coach, and helped me improve incredibly. I attend his high performance clinic at the National squash academy, where he helps me improve, and coaches me to become the best player I can be. I aspire to be like Jonathan because I love squash and he is probably the most talented squash player in history. I aspire to be like him because he was a national figure that put Canada on the map for squash, and I hope to help maintain this national status, by imitating how he plays in order to become the no. 1 squash player in the world.