Regina Athletes Competing in the Canadian Squash Championships – Regina | The Canadian News

Two Regina athletes are excited to compete in the Canadian Squash Championship in Toronto this weekend.

Nikki Todd, who now lives in Toronto, started playing when she was 14 years old.

“My dad and my brother played for Regina and then I went to juniors and then I started playing pro in 2013, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” Todd said.

Todd has been able to travel the world practicing this sport, going to places like South Africa and Australia.

He has competed in major tournaments such as World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Pan American Games.

The 31-year-old was playing and training full time until the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Since then, she got a job as a coach.

“It’s a good way to complement it when there aren’t a lot of tournaments going on,” added Todd.

Todd said it was difficult to understand the training at first when the pandemic hit.

“Being in squash form and, in general, being in shape are two different things. It’s a tough sport to replicate … being on the court, ”Todd explained.

While waiting for things to get back to normal and reopen, Todd began taking nutrition classes online.

She said that for some competitors, this is their first comeback tournament and it turns out to be the biggest of the year for Canadian squash.

Todd is one of many athletes competing on a glass court at Yorkdale Mall in Toronto.

“When people pass by the mall, they see people playing squash and they ask questions and they want to know what’s going on. So it’s been amazing, ”Todd said.

“It’s definitely different to hit a glass court when you haven’t been to one in years, but it’s amazing and it’s a great exposure for the sport,” he added.

Isaiah Richter, 17, of Regina is also competing in the Canadian Youth Championship at Urban Squash Toronto.

Richter started playing when he was 10 years old after a cousin invited him to play one night.

“I just stuck with it ever since,” he told Global News.

Richter has played in both local tournaments and tournaments in Niagara, Toronto, and Edmonton.

He said it has been exciting to compete in the national championship.

“The club is quite nice and the courts are nice (and) I got to see a lot of people that I’ve seen before,” Richter said.

Richter lost his first game, but hopes to win his game on Friday night.

Richter said he is happy to compete and represent Saskatchewan in the tournament.

He added that it was difficult to find motivation in not being able to train or compete during the pandemic, but he kept pace with sprints and then returned to drills once the courts were opened.

Richter also hopes to compete in the Canadian Junior Open in December.