Bannister completes transtasman double

Wanganui's Rod Bannister is at the top of his game and faces a number of choices on his squash career. PHOTO/FILE A-031011WCBRCAFT01

Wanganui squash ace Rod Bannister is faced with three choices to determine his immediate to short-term future.

The 45-year-old is fresh from claiming the 2013 45-49 National Masters Squash title in Auckland to add to the Australian equivalent he won earlier in the month.

Bannister is the first Kiwi to hold both the Australian and New Zealand titles in his age group in the same season.

He completed the rare double at the Henderson Squash Club on Sunday winning the Mens 45-49 NZ Masters Squash title by defeating former USA-based squash professional and Auckland representative player and No3 seed Mike Weston in the final 15-11 15-13 15-2.

He said the final was tough at times and was evenly balanced when he was down 2-9 in the second set prior to him knuckling down to work himself and his opponent hard physically, setting up a comfortable third outcome and reasonably comfortable win in the end.

He attributes his success to a rigorous and disciplined fitness regime, countless on-court solo skill sessions hitting thousands of squash balls, an unwavering positive winning mindset and fantastic support from his family.

On reflection Bannister noted that his mobility and pace of game from the outset of matches had been too much for his opponents to handle on both sides of the Tasman.

He now plans to take a few weeks off prior to deciding on a plan for his off-season training as well as options for next year's squash season. Among his choices could be a tilt at the world title in Hong Kong in July, retiring altogether from the sport, or the defence of his Australian and NZ titles.

In the meantime, he is looking at business opportunities in Wanganui.