Lawton lays down the law

Brighton Zhawi
RISING squash star, Callum Lawton has declared his intention to dominate this year.
The 17-year-old, who is son to former national champion Mike, has set himself high targets with the immediate one being to defend his Mashonaland Junior Championship title next week.
Lawton, a two-time Zimbabwe Under 16 champion is bracing himself for an exciting year that will include the World Junior Championships.
“This is a big year, my biggest year academically as well as for squash,” the teenager told this publication last week.
“For my Hellenic Academy squash team, the target is to win the school’s first league title.
“Personally, I have many targets and the biggest ones are winning the Mashonaland and the Zimbabwe junior Championships’ tournaments.
“The World Junior Squash Championship is in Poland this year and it’s my dream to travel with the Zimbabwe team.”
Lawton believes the experience gained from competing at the US and British Junior Open tournaments last year will help take his game to the next level.
“Both tournaments were a brilliant experience, I learnt a lot,” he said.
“I was happy with my performance as I did better than expected, managing to post some confidence boosting wins at both tournaments.
“I reached the last 16 of the Plate event in the US Open. The British Open was more challenging but I won some of my matches. Overally I think I did well.”
Lawton also faces a defining year on the academic front as he is set to sit for his A’ level exams this year.
“It isn’t easy balancing squash and school but I try my best. I do my best to train around school and school activities. I sometimes train before school and then later in the afternoon when I have some free time,” said the lad.
Keeping his fitness levels high is not a challenge for Lawton as his family are fitness fanatics.
“My whole family likes to keep active and fit and that is just good for my game.
“My younger brother Harry also plays squash just like my dad and I. My mum and older sister are both instructors at a Christian fitness organization called Body and Soul,” said Lawton.