Oliver Johnston has accepted his limitations but intends to
continue playing squash.
He is still the best player in Otago and ranks in the New
Zealand top five.
Johnston (24) made a significant breakthrough in 2003 when he
represented New Zealand at the world senior championships for
the first time.
The New Zealand team finished 17th at the event in Austria
and Johnston was the first Otago player to represent New
Zealand at that level since Don Green in 1962.
He was ranked sixth that year and was on the verge of an
illustrious career in the sport.
Johnston was the Otago squash player of the year for three
years from 2001 to 2003 when a serious injury stopped his
career.
The trouble showed up when he returned from the senior world
championships and stopped him in his tracks when he played in
a tournament at Hong Kong.
He saw the best medical people in the country as well as
alternative therapists.
His problem was eventually diagnosed, after exploratory
surgery by the country's top hip surgeon, as developing from
a loose hip joint.
"My hip doesn't fit into the socket," Johnston said.
"The soft cartilage breaks down and my hip gets sore.
"If I train consistently, it gets very sore. If I just train
three times a week, it is OK."
The injury has shattered Johnston's dreams of becoming a
professional and playing in major tournaments around the
world.
"I'm still able to play and I think I'm good enough to make
the top four in New Zealand," Johnston said.
"I can still give the top guys a run for their money."
He proved it in 2007 when he was ranked in the top five and
narrowly missed selection in the New Zealand team for the
world championships.
Johnston demonstrated his ability in Christchurch last
weekend when he won the South Island championships.
"I still want to be ranked high nationally," he said.
"But I won't be able to play on the world circuit."
Johnston intends travelling to Buenos Aires in August to play
in club competitions and do some coaching.
"I will be away for about three months and then come back
home and get a job as an an accountant."
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