Commonwealth
Games 2002:
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2002 Commonwealth Games Finals Preview
by Ron Beck, July 31 2002

[last update was 5-aug-02 ]

Four Years Later --- deja vu

  
Two Worthy Rivals
Four years after Peter Nicol and Jonathon Power met in the Commonwealth Games 1998 gold medal match, they meet again in the same circumstances.

It's food for thought that two players, exhibiting virtually opposite playing styles have remained dominant as a pair for virtually all of this two year span. (Even David Palmer's several months as number one on the PSA computer came as most observers still rated Nicol and Power as the two top competitors and always the two to beat.)

TWO DIFFERENT ROADS TAKEN

Power has shut down two rising stars - England's Beachill and Australia's Boswell - this week (photo © 2002 Fritz Borchert)

The thing is that Jonathon and Peter have taken two totally different roads to greatness. Their training style, playing style, personality and match style are divergent.

Peter Nicol extolls the virtues of constancy, total training, and total fitness. Jonathon Power speaks of the value of time off, diversity, variety and relaxed approaches. To hear Jonathon talk, he never trains. To hear Peter talk, he always trains.

INEXTRICABLY LINKED
When Power and Nicol meet today, it will be their 30th meeting in six years. The tally is virtually even - Nicol's won 15 times, Power 14, with Power holding the upper hand in their last three meetings.

More than that, their respective star power is dependent on each other. With their contrasting styles and personalities, they together give squash in 2002 its face. They keep things balanced, interesting and exciting. When the two of them take the court, the result is totally unpredictable. Moreover, they have the utmost respect for each other on court but focus totally on beating each other.

FUTURE PATH?
So for how much longer will these two rivals stay at the top of the rankings board? Enjoy the moment this week, and consider that later. It should be a great matchup today - neither is showing any signs of weakness or injury in Manchester.

In the long haul, Peter Nicol has begun to show signs of flagging fitness and dominance. Power, who appeared vulnerable early in 2001 has regained his equanimity for now.

The future? The fall campaign spanning Hong Kong, Toronto, Boston and Antwerp will give us a sign.

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