Geoff Hunt retires

Press, 29 April 1982, Page 32

Geoff Hunt retires

NZPA Melbourne The Australian squash star, Geoff Hunt, who has dominated world titles for 20 years, yesterday announced his retirement from top level competition. Hunt, aged 35, of Melbourne, said yesterday that the decision had been forced on him by persistent back and hip injuries. “My injuries stopped me from defending my British Open crown this year,” he said. But Hunt said he would work to help expand the game as a director of an international sporting goods firm, involved in introducing squash in Australian schools. He will also be involved in a Victorian Squash Rackets Association plan to take Australian youngsters to the forefront of world squash. The Victorians have named the scheme, “Hunt for a Hunt." Before turning professional in 1971 Hunt had won the

world amateur title three times, the Australian amateur title four times, a British amateur championship and nine successive Victorian amateur crowns.

Since then he has won every top professional title at least once, including the British Open a record eight times.

Hunt's achievement in such a physically demanding sport is remarkable when it is realised that he was first picked to tour England in an Australian team in 1963, and has been ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the world since 1967.. His total number of Australian titles including those he won as an amateur, is 16. In 1981 he was named the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Sportsman of the Year and male athlete of the year by the Confederation of Australian Sport.

Hunt also received other awards in 1981 including the Merit of the Order of Australia.