Joe Chapman reached his first quarter final on the PSA Tour at the Belo Horizonte Open in Brasil and has climbed up the rankings since turning pro in May. photo credit: supplied

On the last leg of the trip, Chapman prevailed in Venezuela by making another quarter final to finish his trip before exiting to Colombian # 1 and World # 24 Miguel Rodriguez in the last eight. photo credit: supplied

Chapman has decided to base himself in the VI where he will be able to train with Coach Joe Kneipp, who he describes as one of the best in the World. photo credit: supplied

Chapman,  who trained in both the Virgin Islands and Europe, began the tour in Curitiba, Brazil against some top players and after two rounds of qualifiers, drew the Brazilian #1 and former world #30 Raphael Alacron who proved too hot for Chapman and his run in the first leg of his trip came to an end. 

The second tournament in Colombia proved just as difficult with Chapman losing in the second round of qualifiers.

Chapman’s big breakthrough came when he traveled back to Brazil for the Belo Horizonte Open. After beating qualifiers to make the main draw, Chapman drew Juan Pablo Roude from Argentina and came through victorious by winning 3 games to 1 in 55 minutes. “This was a great win for me to make my first quarter final on the PSA tour. Even though the opponents got more difficult as the tournament progressed, it became easier for me play good quality squash and I was able to raise my game to the next level,” commented Chapman.

Two more tough tournaments in Maringa and Brasilia, Brazil weighed on Chapman as he struggled to get big wins.

On the last leg of the trip, Chapman prevailed in Venezuela by making another quarter final to finish his trip before exiting to Colombian # 1 and World # 24 Miguel Rodriguez in the last eight.

Chapman, summing up the 6-week extravaganza of squash, said “It was a fantastic tour overall and I learned a lot. The most important aspect I came away with is the knowledge of what I have to do to get to the next level. Over the next two months, I’m going to be working with my squash coach Joe Kneipp and physical trainer Daniela Schumann to keep improving my game and my fitness. I’ve still got a long way to go.”

Chapman has now decided to base himself in the VI to get the best opportunity to improve and climb the rankings. “After training 6 weeks in London and Amsterdam, I came to the conclusion that I can achieve the best results by basing myself and training in the BVI.  Here in the BVI we have one of the best coaches in the world in former World #10 Joe Kneipp.”

Chapman added, “With our superb squash facilities we can bring the very best players to Tortola to train.  Over the next three months, Adam Murrills (#137) and Eddie Charlton (#77) from England and Henrik Mustonen (#43) from Finland will be coming to the BVI to train.  Over the Christmas holiday we have scheduled 6 other world ranked players to come to the BVI to train.  This is sports tourism at its best and all of these players are drawn by the eminence of squash in the BVI, the quality of the facilities and the availability to rest and relax between training at a paradise location in the Caribbean.”

Having jumped 300 places in the world rankings over the past 4 months, Chapman needs to continue the momentum by winning more tournaments. Over the next three months, Chapman’s touring plans will take him to Mexico, Canada and the United States as he seeks to break into the top 100 in 2013. 

Long term, Chapman is looking to the Olympic Games in 2020, where squash is seeking to be represented as a sport at the Olympics for the first time.  He is one of over 20,000 players backing the World Squash Day 2020 Olympic Bid and has arranged some exhibition matches, a Pro-Am Tournament and a Beep Test competition to celebrate the day, October 20, 2012.