AS Bathurst’s Dave Fuller saw it there was no chance cancer was going to stop him from contesting another edition of the World Squash Masters.
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Even after being diagnosed with prostate cancer not long after arriving back from the previous masters, held in Johannesburg two years ago, Fuller always kept the 2018 edition of the masters on his playing radar.
After his lengthy battle Fuller has now reached that goal.
On Wednesday the Bathurst player flew out for this year’s tournament which starts on July 28 in Charlottesville, USA.
Prior to his journey west Fuller said setting long-term goals, like the World Squash Masters, was a crucial part of working his way through the battle with cancer.
“My fitness is coming back slowly and I feel like I’m getting stronger all the time,” he said.
“Because of the chemotherapy it affects your aerobic strength but because I’m doing a lot of fitness work I’m getting it back.
“To be still on the court is half the battle, especially with my cancer getting to stage four. Having those goals are what keeps you going.
“When I was diagnosed in October 2016 the expressions of interest came out for the Australian Masters in 2017. I reckon I was one of the first to say ‘Book me a room, I’m there’.”
Fuller came back onto the court in June last year, playing several divisions below his usual line at a local level.
The recovery has been so successful that Fuller is hoping to be back playing in the open division at this September’s Australian Masters in Hobart.
“I’m nearly there, getting stronger all the time,” Fuller said.
“Playing at the top end of the age group for the masters you feel like you’ve got nothing to lose.”
This will be Fuller’s third and final crack at the 55-59s age group following two successful tilts.
“Four years ago I went into the 55-59s and I came fourth that year when it was in Hong Kong,” he said.
“Two years ago it was in Johannesburg, South Africa, where I made it to the round of 16. I was knocked out by the number four seed.
“This year in Virginia the 55-59s has the biggest field. There’s 120 in my draw.
“I’m at the back end of the age group so it’s a bit tougher now.
“You know some of the hot shots’ names because they’re seeded and they’re probably guys who were on the world tour back in their day.”
Fuller’s competition starts on Sunday July 29 with a match against a home nation hopeful Emmett McGee.
