Chris Dittmar

Last updated

Chris Dittmar
Chris Dittmar.jpg
CountryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Residence Adelaide, South Australia
Born (1964-01-16) 16 January 1964 (age 59)
Adelaide
Retired1993
PlaysLeft-handed
Men's Singles
Highest ranking1 (July 1993)
World Open F (1983, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992)
Medal record
Men's squash
Representing Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
World Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1983 Munich Singles
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1987 Birmingham Singles
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1989 Kuala Lumpur Singles
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1990 Toulouse Singles
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1992 Johannesburg Singles
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1986 Toulouse Singles
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1988 Amsterdam Singles
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1991 Adelaide Singles
Last updated: 20 December 2011.

Chris Dittmar (born 16 January 1964) is an Australian sports commentator who was formerly the World No. 1-ranked men's squash player.

Contents

Dittmar is widely considered to be the "best player never to have won" one of squash's two biggest titles. He finished runner-up at the World Open five times – in 1983, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1992 – and was runner-up at the British Open twice – in 1985 and 1993.

Dittmar was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and was a contemporary of two great Pakistani players – Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan. Dittmar provided probably the most consistent challenge of any player to the dominance of these two greats during the 1980s and early 1990s, but never quite managed to break their iron grip on the game. In all seven of the World Open and British Open finals he played in, Dittmar lost to one of the two Khans. There were several occasions in his career when Dittmar managed to beat one of the Khans in a semi-final round, only to lose to the other in the final. Dittmar won what is remembered as one of the sport's classic matches against Jahangir Khan in the semi-finals of the 1989 World Open in Kuala Lumpur, taking the fifth set 15–13. The following day in the final, he took a two set lead against Jansher, but tired as the long match wore on and eventually lost in five sets.

Dittmar has claimed that the proudest moment of his career came in captaining the Australian team to victory in World Team Squash Championships in 1989. Australia beat Pakistan 3–0 in the final, with Dittmar contributing a win over Jahangir Khan. Two years later in 1991, Dittmar captained the Australian team which successfully defended the title.

Prior to turning professional, Dittmar was runner-up at the World Junior Championships in both 1980 and 1982, and won the British Open Junior Championship in 1981.

Dittmar won several professional titles, including three Australian Opens, three Canadian Opens, three European Opens, three New Zealand Opens, and two South African Opens. His consistency helped him briefly capture the World No. 1 ranking shortly before he retired as a player in 1993. He was ranked No. 2 and No. 3 for much longer periods.

Dittmar was known for being very forthright in expressing his views as a player during his career, and represented his fellow players as President of the International Squash Players Association for several years.

Dittmar served as Patron of Squash Australia from 2002 to 2005. He was inducted into the Squash Australia Hall of Fame in 2005.

Since retiring as a squash player, Dittmar has worked as a television sports commentator in Australia for Channel Seven. He has also worked for Adelaide radio stations FIVEaa and Triple M. He hosted FIVEaa's soccer show on Sunday evenings for a period, and currently hosts 'Roo and Ditts for Breakfast' on Triple M with Mark Ricciuto. He has also been an Australian rules football commentator for both stations.

Dittmar suffered a small brain haemorrhage requiring hospitalisation in July 2009. [1]

Family

Dittmar comes from a well-known sports family in Adelaide. His father played Australian rules football for Port Adelaide Football Club. His uncle Wally also played for Port Adelaide and represented South Australia in State of Origin Football. And his uncle Len was crowned the Australian welterweight boxing champion in the 1950s. His son Tom used to play for soccer club WT Birkalla but now plays for soccer club Comets FC.

Dittmar attended St Michael's College, Adelaide.

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The 1993 PSA Men's World Open Squash Championship is the men's edition of the 1993 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The event took place in Karachi in Pakistan from 18 November to 23 November 1993. Jansher Khan won his fifth World Open title, defeating Jahangir Khan in the final.

The 1992 PSA Men's World Open Squash Championship is the men's edition of the 1992 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The event took place in Johannesburg in South Africa from 21 September to 26 September 1992. Jansher Khan won his fourth World Open title, defeating Chris Dittmar in the final.

The 1991 PSA Men's World Open Squash Championship is the men's edition of the 1991 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The event took place in Adelaide in Australia from 30 July to 4 August 1991. Rodney Martin won his first World Open title, defeating Jahangir Khan in the final.

The 1989 PSA Men's Singer World Open Squash Championship is the men's edition of the 1989 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The event took place in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia from 03-7 October 1989. Jansher Khan won his second World Open title, defeating Chris Dittmar in the final.

The 1990 PSA Men's World Open Squash Championship is the men's edition of the 1990 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The event took place in Toulouse in France from 4 November to 11 November 1990. Jansher Khan won his third World Open title, defeating Chris Dittmar in the final.

The 1988 PSA Men's NCM World Open Squash Championship is the men's edition of the 1988 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The event took place in Valkenswaard and Amsterdam in the Netherlands from 9 May to 13 May 1988. Jahangir Khan won his sixth and last World Open title, defeating Jansher Khan in the final.

The 1987 ICI Perspex Men's World Open Squash Championship is the men's edition of the 1987 World Open, which serves as the individual world championship for squash players. The event took place in Birmingham in England from 11 to 20 October 1987. Jansher Khan won his first World Open title, defeating Chris Dittmar in the final.

The 1989 Hi-Tec British Open Championships was held at the Lambs Squash Club and the Wembley Conference Centre in London from 12–17 April 1989.
Jahangir Khan won his eighth consecutive title defeating Rodney Martin in the final. This eighth win equalled the record previously set by Geoff Hunt of Australia.

The 1987 Hi-Tec British Open Championships was held at the South Bank Squash Club with the later stages being held at the Wembley Conference Centre from 4–14 April 1987. Jahangir Khan won his sixth consecutive title defeating Jansher Khan in the final 9-6 9-0 9-5. Eight times champion Geoff Hunt made a comeback after a five-year absence.

The 1988 Hi-Tec British Open Championships was held at the Wembley Squash Centre with the later stages being held at the Wembley Conference Centre from 11–18 April 1988.
Jahangir Khan won his seventh consecutive title defeating Rodney Martin in the final in seven sets.

The 1991 Hi-Tec British Open Championships was held at the Lambs Squash Club with the later stages being held at the Wembley Conference Centre from 12 to 22 April 1991.
Jahangir Khan won his tenth consecutive title defeating Jansher Khan in the final.
Jahangir was only seeded fourth because he had previously taken time off from competition through illness and exhaustion.
Jamie Hickcox and Austin Adarraga now represented Canada and Australia respectively.

Tristan Nancarrow is a former Australian professional squash player.

References

  1. ↑ Hurt, Jessica; Shepherd, Tory (14 July 2009). "Dittmar suffers brain injury scare". Adelaide Advertiser. News Ltd. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
Sporting positions
Preceded by World No. 1
July 1993 - August 1993		Succeeded by
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