Joe Chapman has had a successful start to his pro squash career and climbed 122 places in the lastest rankings released by the Professional Squash Association. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO File

Chapman, who also won the BVI National Championships during June, had a successful stint at the Gibraltar Open where he beat the Norwegian #1 Kim Killingberg to make the last 16.

Commenting after the Tournament Chapman was a happy man. “This jump in the rankings is huge for me, as I am now starting to register for tournaments worldwide and I have the opportunity in Challenger 5 events to make the main draw and avoid having to qualify.”

In August, Chapman has signed up for Johannesburg in South Africa, Ponta Grossa in Brazil, and Medellin and Bogota both in Colombia. “I should be in the main draw in Johannesburg and Medellin and therefore will be guaranteed ranking points but will most likely have to qualify in Ponta Grossa and Bogota as they are more competitive tournaments.”

About playing at altitude Chapman added, “I will be training in The Hague, Holland with Australian #1 Cameron Pilley over the next month, then go to altitude training at the start of August either in Mexico or South Africa, as all my August tournaments are elevated way above sea level.”

Chapman who has played in Medellin and Bogota previously knows the dangers of going into the events unprepared.

Johannesburg is at 5,700 ft., Ponta Grossa at 3,100 ft, Medellin at 4,800 ft. and Bogota at 8,600 ft. “I really am looking forward to training in Europe then travelling to Africa and South America for these tournaments.

Looking further afield, Chapman will likely take in tournaments in North America and the Far East in the period September to December 2012, before returning to the VI in December for a combination or rest and recuperation and intensive training with top visiting professionals over the Christmas period.