Squash Canada today announced the athletes who will represent Team Canada in squash at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama in the United States taking place July 14-17, 2022.
It will be a first World Games for each player, with experienced Nikki Todd from Saskatchewan (World #90) leading the three-player squad. She is joined by back-to-back 2021 and 2022 Canadian Men’s Champion David Baillargeon from Quebec (World #61) and Hannah Blatt from Manitoba (World #116).
Todd has twice medaled in the Pan Am Games and competed in the Commonwealth Games. She is no stranger to the pressure on such a large stage. “Really excited to be back competing for Canada again and looking forward to what will hopefully be a successful week on court!” says Todd.
Blatt has been very active this season representing Canada at multiple events, taking home medals at the Pan Am Senior Championships and the Junior Pan Am Games and is primed for this major Games experience. “Ever since I was young, I have dreamt of becoming a professional athlete,” says Blatt. “Squash has given me opportunities in life that I wouldn’t have had otherwise and it’s an honour to represent Canada and compete at an event like the World Games. It’s tough playing a sport that isn’t in the Olympic Games, so it makes an event like this the next big thing and something to strive for! I’m excited for the high level of competition and the experience.”
Baillargeon is fresh off winning his second consecutive national championship and a best-ever season and is looking to hit peak performance this summer for these World Games and then the Commonwealth Games shortly thereafter. “I’m super excited to be playing the World Games which will be my first major Games,” says Baillargeon. “Representing Canada is always something I look forward to, especially at such a big international event. The best of 3 makes it easier to make upsets and that’s exactly what I’ll be aiming to do. Let’s go Canada!”
The squash competition will take place at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from July 14th to 17th with two events to watch: Women’s and Men’s Singles. For more information and to purchase tickets to watch the 2022 World Games can be found here.
The World Games is an 11-day international multi-sport event organized with the support of the International Olympic Committee. The World Games 2022 will showcase a New Generation of Global Sports in Birmingham from July 7-17, 2022. An anticipated 3,600 elite athletes from over 100 countries will compete for gold in more than 30 of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
The squash team that will represent Canada at the 2022 World Games includes:
Nikole Todd , Regina, SK - Women’s Singles
Hannah Blatt , Winnipeg, MB - Women’s Singles
David Baillargeon , Lévi’s, QC - Men’s Singles