Jonathon Power Inducted Into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

When Toronto's Jonathon Power is officially inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, his first thoughts will be for the people who helped him become one of the world's most successful professional squash players.

Power, who retired from the PSA Tour last winter, will in fact be the first squash player ever inducted to the Hall.

"I guess it's a bit out of the normal realm to have a squash player in there, but I'm excited about it," said Power. "I found out last May and it was totally unexpected and overwhelming."

The 32-year-old was one of the most entertaining players in pro squash. Aside from his dazzling play, he was famous for his humorous bantering with opponents and officials and infamous at times for his temper tantrums which drew a comparison to tennis great John McEnroe. But it all helped popularise the sport throughout the world.

Power is sentimental as he recognises those that helped him pave his way to success.

"You got to think about the people who helped you get there," said Power. "There are many - but those that stand out are my parents, my wife, my coach Mike Way and my training partner Graham Ryding (a world top-20 player still on the circuit) along with my numerous sponsors."

Currently Power is working hard at promoting the sport both in Canada and the U.S., running camps and clinics. He doesn't miss competing on the professional circuit which literally took him to all four corners of the world every year. Annual events were usually scheduled in Pakistan, Hong Kong, Egypt, Qatar as well as in Europe and Australia.

"I don't miss it one bit, it was a grind," said Power, who'll become a father for the first time in January as his wife Sita is expecting. "It was fun doing it but now I'm enjoying being at home and being relaxed. I still play for fun but I don't I'd enjoy turning into that competitive guy again. I really want to stay involved in the sport and inspire other Canadians to become the best players they can."

Power started playing squash at the age seven on the Canadian military base in Comox, B.C., where his father was director of athletics. He turned pro at age 16 and in his career won 32 Professional Squash Association Tour titles and reached 61 finals. He won the world title in 1998 and the Commonwealth Games gold in 2002.

He won five tournaments in 2005 and climbed back to the number-one spot in the world rankings for the first time in four years. It was the longest gap between successive number one rankings since the rankings were established in the early eighties. He was also the oldest player to be ranked number one. In 2006 he was off to a great start reaching the finals in the opening two tournaments.

Power enjoyed one of the greatest sport rivalries in recent years with England's Peter Nicol - their epic battles being the Ali-Frazier equivalent for squash fans. They finished with Nicol marginally ahead 22-21!

Gene Turk, the head coach of the men's national team says Power has left a lasting legacy not only for Canadian squash players but for athletes in all sports.

"It's really an honour for our sport to have an athlete inducted into the Hall," said Turk. "Jonathon has shown Canadians that if you believe and work hard you can get to the top in the word. He's been a real inspiration and hopefully that'll motivate all Canadians to look that far ahead."

Joe Hattori, the president of Squash Canada, is also thrilled to see Power headed to the Hall.

"Jonathon being inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame is another stepping stone in an already illustrious career," said Hattori. "For squash in Canada it adds to the profile of the sport which has been enhanced by Jonathon's achievements at the world level. It is wonderful to see that Jonathon wishes to stay involved and add to the growth of squash in Canada."