Thank you Max for your review.
I'll see if I can get the muffler off to check on any possible carbon or blockage issues. I was trying to avoid doing this as it runs okay on half-throttle, and I didn't want to chance breaking the mounting bolt off. Will be slowly, slowly, with extra care working for this one. After I check the muffler, if there's no change, I'll try with a new spark plug. Not sure if I have a points assembly in a mower engine. One step at a time I guess. Appreciate the assistance provided from yourself and Norm. Have a great day. Cheers.