Episode 408 - Declan James

Episode 408 – Declan James: Back to His Best, the Road to LA 2028, and Representing Jamaica After one of the toughest setbacks of his career, Declan James is back. The former World No. 15 returned from a ruptured Achilles in late 2023, but as he explains in this episode, coming back to the PSA Tour and truly feeling like yourself again are two very different things. Following a strong 2025/26 campaign that included last-16 appearances at both the British Open and the World Championships, Declan reflects on a season that, in my view, flew under the radar. We discuss the long road back from injury, the physical and mental challenges of rebuilding confidence, memorable victories over Mohamed Abouelghar, battles with Paul Coll and Karim Abdel Gawad, and the influence of former World Champion Nick Matthew on both his game and mindset. We also spend plenty of time on one of the biggest stories in squash: Declan's decision to represent Jamaica as he begins his pursuit of qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. He explains how the opportunity came about, what wearing the green, black and gold would mean to him, and what the qualification pathway looks like over the next two years. Finally, Declan shares his thoughts on where professional squash needs to go next. From branding and marketing the sport more effectively to attracting a younger audience and capitalizing on the momentum leading into the Olympic era, he offers a thoughtful perspective on how the PSA can continue to grow the game.