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Paul McNamara

Squash world No 4 Olivia Weaver says high academic achievers excel in her “bloody hard” sport because it asks you to “make so many decisions under incredible pressure and physical stress”.
Weaver is set to play in the United States’ World Squash Team Championships (WSTC) semi-final against Malaysia on Friday, after the back injury that forced the American to retire from her Hong Kong Squash Open semi-final last week condemned her to a “brutal” few days on the sidelines.
A graduate of Princeton University, where she majored in anthropology, 29-year-old Weaver was a semi-finalist at this year’s world championships. Men’s world No 1 Ali Farag, who has a mechanical engineering degree from Harvard, is the highest-profile of several academically gifted squash stars.
“You have be able to remain composed and focused … if you check out upstairs, you can blink and a match is over,” Weaver told the Post.
“The ability to read situations, then quickly adapt, is key, so squash lends itself to [scholarly] people.”

Weaver is tentatively eyeing the “unbelievable honour” of representing Team USA when squash makes its Olympic Games debut in Los Angeles in 2028.
“It’s the greatest stage in sport, and squash is so deserving of a place on it,” she said.
“With the mix of tactics, physicality and excitement, I am very confident it will receive a positive response. I take pride in playing the game the right way, too, showing sportsmanship and setting an example for the younger generation.”
Weaver broke into the world’s top 10 in March 2022. She said the consistently improving form that had lifted her to today’s career-high position came from “surrounding myself with world-class human beings and coaches”.
“I feel I am always getting better, but there is still so much I can improve on,” she said.
Weaver’s US team are on course for a rematch of the 2022 WSTC final they lost to Egypt, after the reigning champions beat France to set up a semi-final with Belgium. The Belgians ended Hong Kong’s run at the quarter-final stage.
“I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to play at all, after really looking forward to this trip,” Weaver said. “Not playing was brutal, but we have a tonne of depth and everyone has stepped up.”
Weaver’s anthropology knowledge adds a different dimension to life off court on the global circuit.
“My studying made me much more aware of cultural differences, and a more compassionate and curious person,” she said. “I take a second look at little things that happen every day, and have a much greater appreciation for the finer nuances of daily life.”
She paid tribute, too, to the Hong Kong Football Club venue staging this tournament.
“I cant imagine a better place to host this event – there are so many bodies and so many matches, but we are never cramped,” she said. “The courts and facilities are amazing, and the members are so friendly and engaging.”
In the men’s event, Hong Kong bowed out following a 2-0 last-eight loss to England. Favourites Egypt cruised past Germany 2-0 to set up a last-four clash with France, who beat India by the same scoreline.


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Hong Kong Squash Open

US star Olivia Weaver explains why squash belongs on ‘greatest stage’ of Olympic Games

Olivia Weaver (right) is set to return to action after recovering from the back injury she suffered in her Hong Kong Squash Open semi-final match against Nour El Sherbini. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Weaver (left) is confident squash will thrive on sport’s greatest stage at the Olympic Games. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Oscar Coggins has his sights on the Los Angeles Olympics after competing in Tokyo three years ago. Photo: Xinhua

Coggins is back in high-level action after time away to confront physical and mental issues. Photo: Oscar Coggins

Paris Olympic Games gold medallist Alex Yee worked hard to improve his swimming and cycling. Photo: dpa

Liverpool, Europe’s form team, could be set for 2025 Hong Kong date; club maintains silence

Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring from the spot in Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League victory over Girona. Photo: EPA-EFE

Dutchman Arne Slot has made a flying start as Liverpool boss after replacing Jurgen Klopp. Photo: EPA-EFE

Liverpool celebrate after winning the 2017 Premier League Asia Trophy at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Edward Wong

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World No 4, one of several academically inclined players at the world team championships, set to return from injury for Malaysia semi-final


World No 4, one of several academically inclined players at the world team championships, set to return from injury for Malaysia semi-final.


US star Olivia Weaver explains why squash belongs on ‘greatest stage’ of Olympic Games

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}World No 4, one of several academically inclined players at the world team championships, set to return from injury for Malaysia semi-final

World No 4, one of several academically inclined players at the world team championships, set to return from injury for Malaysia semi-final