Squash
World Junior Championships: Roshdy and Cheung stun No.2 and 3/4 seeds
Jonathan SmithCairo (Egypt): Egypt’s Adham Roshdy and Hong Kong, China’s Tsz Ching Cheung recorded two huge shocks in Cairo as they dispatched South Korean No.2 seed JooYoung Na and Egyptian 3/4 seed Janna Swaify to reach the quarter-finals of the World Squash Junior Championships.In front of a packed crowd in Cairo’s Black Ball Sporting Club, 9/16 seed Roshdy fought back from 1-2 down to take out the 2024 finalist, while Cheung stunned the home crowd as she too came from behind to record a thrilling five-game win.Na took the squash world by storm last year in a run that included the prize scalp of 2023 champion Hamza Khan, but hopes of a repeat were brought to a brutal end by a determined Roshdy performance. The Egyptian, whose father and coach Mabrouk coached national legend Nour El Sherbini, took a shock opening game lead with an 11-9 win.Na looked to have steadied things when he edged into the lead with a pair of 11-9 wins, only for Roshdy to roar back 11-5 in game four. With the crowd whipped into a frenzy by Roshdy’s heroics, the 18-year-old dominated game five, holding his nerve to seal a memorable victory with an 11-7 win before celebrating wildly.That win for Roshdy, alongside victories for No.1 seed Mohamad Zakaria, 3/4 seeds Marwan Asal and Eiad Daoud, and 9/16s seed Adam Hawal and Seifeldin Refaay, meant Egypt marked a new milestone, becoming the first nation to have six representatives in the quarter-finals of the men’s event.The two non-Egyptians in tomorrow’s men’s quarter-finals will be Colombian 5/8 seed Juan Irisarri and USA’s 5/8 seed Christian Capella, with Irisarri coming back from a game down to beat USA's Jack Elriani and Capella doing the same to overcome Saudi Arabia's Mohammad Alnasfan.In the women’s draw, Cheung, too, helped her nation record a new milestone as Hong Kong, China will have two representatives in the quarter-finals for the first time after Cheung’s shock win and Ena Kwong’s 3-0 victory over Scotland’s Robyn McAlpine.Cheung’s clash with Swaify, played on the spectacular all-glass court, appeared to be heading to seeding when Swaify - who is already playing on the professional circuit - dominated the opening game 11-2. Cheung went on the attack in game two, avoiding building rallies and focusing instead on firing in winners. This proved effective, with Cheung accurate and able to disrupt Swaify’s rhythm as she silenced the crowd by levelling with an 11-5 win and then pulled ahead 11-8.Cheung’s accuracy dipped as she sensed a famous win, and Swaify took the match into a fifth game with an 11-8 victory. Cheung wasn’t to be denied though, and she rattled off quick-fire winners to take game five 11-4 and seal a famous result.Elsewhere in the women’s draw, matches went to seedings, with Egypt's Amina Orfi, Nadien Elhammamy and Malika Elkaraksy, India's Anahat Singh and France's Lauren Baltayan all booking their places in the last eight.
World Junior: Alnasfan and Silva make history for Saudi Arabia and Brazil
Jonathan SmithCairo (Egypt): Mohammed Alnasfan and Laura Silva made history for Saudi Arabia and Brazil as they became their nations’ first ever representatives in the Round of 16 of the World Squash Junior Championships after both players recorded gritty five-game wins at Black Ball Sporting Club, Cairo.Alnasfan’s victory came courtesy of a gruelling double header, with the 16-year-old upsetting 9/16 seed Oliver Dunbar of New Zealand in the Round of 64 in the morning before going one better with a hard-fought 3-2 win over 17/32 seed Dylan Roberts in the Round of 32 in the afternoon.That win over Roberts was a see-saw encounter, with Alnasfan retrieving well as the pair traded periods of dominance. Alnasfan looked to have won it in four games when he led 7-6 while 2-1 up, only for a valiant effort from Roberts - who spent several minutes of game four retrieving physio treatment after landing heavily - to dig in and forth a fifth game.Alnasfan wasn’t to be denied, though, and he powered home in the fifth game 11-3 against the struggling Englishman.“I’m so happy to have achieved this,” Alnasfan said afterwards. “My thanks to my coaches and everyone at the Saudi Squash Federation for their support.”Women’s 9/16 seed Silva, meanwhile, will be Brazil’s first ever representative in the last 16 after fighting back in a tough five-gamer with English 17/32 seed Emily Coulcher-Porter.Coulcher-Porter, who utilises her ambidexterity to play the forehand on both sides of the courts, tested Silva’s reading of the game early on to clinch the opener 13-11.Silva responded well with a dominant 11-4 win in game two and then moved ahead 11-7 in game three before Coulcher-Porter defended well to edge a second tie-break 12-10.Silva, however, did not panic. Cheered on by the vocal Brazil contingent, the 17-year-old held her nerve to record another 11-7 win and earn a matchup on the glass court with No.2 seed Anahat Singh of India, who cruised past France’s Ines Guyot.Elsewhere, there were more seeding upsets in both events. In the men’s competition, unseeded American Muhammad Haq impressed as he took out Canadian 9/16 seed Youssef Sarhan in straight games, while in the women’s competition, Scottish 17/32 seed Robyn McAlpine fought back from two games down to beat English 9/16 seed Mariam Eissa.
Perth to host World Squash Masters Championships 2026
Islamabad (Sports Desk): Squash Australia (SqA) and World Squash announced that Perth, Western Australia, will be the host city for the 2026 World Squash Masters Championships.The World Squash Masters Championships is World Squash’s flagship Masters competition and sees competitors aged 35+ compete in age-category events for the title of World Champion. Last year’s competition in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, saw a new record for participation being set, with over 1,200 competitors registering for the event.Australia, the most successful nation in World Squash Masters history by total medal count, last hosted the event in 2001, with Vicki Cardwell, Fred Green, Mary Sceney, Sue Volzke and Thomas Spark bagging championship titles for the hosts. Sydney local Geoff Davenport, meanwhile, is the most decorated masters squash player in history, with the 67-year-old winning his seventh World Championship title last year.Next year’s event will take place from 30 August to 6 September and will feature a stunning all-glass show court, which will be erected in the City of Stirling, with action also set to take place on the 14 courts of Mirrabooka Squash Centre and the eight courts of Bellmont Squash Centre.Squash Australia CEO Robert Donaghue said: “On behalf of Squash Australia, I would like to thank the Western Australian Government through Tourism WA and City of Stirling for the incredible backing they have given us. With their support, we’re confident this will be the biggest squash event ever hosted in Australia and we’re looking forward to welcoming the world to Perth.“Hosting international events in Australia is an important part of our strategy, not only does it provide our players with an opportunity to compete against the best in the world, it is critical in providing experience to our coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers, which they can take back to their local clubs and centres and continue to build on the capability and capacity of their local squash community.“We also see this event as another great opportunity to provide exposure of the sport to the wider community and inspire them to come and try squash and experience all the benefits participating in our great sport can offer.”Perth’s Sue Hillier, who last year won her third World Championship title with victory in the 60+ category of the World Squash Masters Championships, said: “I think the most fantastic thing about this is that people get to come here and see our beautiful state, our beaches which are the best in the world, and all the friends I’ve met in squash can come here and see where I live.”Chair of the World Squash Masters Commission Garry Irwin said: “On behalf of World Squash, I am delighted by the return of the World Squash Masters Championships to Australia, my home country. Australia is steeped in squash heritage and its masters squash community is among the biggest and most active in the world. I am looking forward to watching all the action take place in Perth and would like to warmly welcome everyone involved, be they competing, officiating, volunteering or helping to run the event!”Ron Smith, President AMSA: "The Australian Masters Squash Association (AMSA) is excited to be welcoming the Masters community from around the world to Perth next year, not only for the 8-days of competition on the court, but also to experience everything West Australia has to offer, and to meet new people and forge life-long friendships along the way."
Squash Championship concludes at Jahangir Khan Sports Club
Karachi (SBR):The Jahangir Khan open Squash Championship, organized by the Jahangir Khan Sports Club, concluded with exciting matches and strong participation from emerging talent.In the Men’s Final, Anas Khan clinched the title by defeating Abdul Basit Khan in straight sets, with scores of 11/8, 11/9, 11/9 in a 31-minute battle.In the Women’s Category, Nimra Batool delivered an impressive performance to beat Zunaira Imran 3-0, with scores of 11/7, 11/6, 11/5 in 25 minutes.In the Boys Under-14 Final, promising player Fazal Rehman dominated Mohammad Tahoor Tahir, winning 11/7, 11/5, 11/4 in 18 minutes.The three-day championship concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, where squash legend Jahangir Khan was the chief guest. Speaking at the event, he emphasized the need for hard work and dedication among young athletes. He announced that the Jahangir Khan Sports Club will continue to provide international level training opportunities to deserving and talented players.Additionally, participation certificates were awarded to all players who took part in the tournament, recognizing their effort and commitment to the sport.Jahangir Khan also announced that an International Squash Circuit Tournament will be hosted at the club in July.
Mohammad Shamlan selected for World U19 Squash Championship
Abbottabad (Sports Reporter) Another honor for Abbottabad: Pakistan’s rising squash star Mohammad Shamlan Gul has been selected for the World Junior Under-19 World Squash Championship.Pakistan’s young and talented squash player Mohammad Shamlan Gul has made a name for himself across the country through his consistent hard work, skill and exceptional performance. He showed excellent play in the recent national trials and was included in the national team for the World Junior Squash Championship. This global competition is being held in Egypt where Shamlan will represent Pakistan.Earlier, Shamlan Gul represented Pakistan in the Australian Junior Open Squash Championship, where he put up an excellent performance in the Under-19 category and secured fifth position — a proud achievement at the international level.His journey of success continued at the national level as well. He won a gold medal in the Inter-Provincial Games in the Under-22 category, while he proved his mettle by winning a silver medal in the Quaid-e-Azam Games.
Torsam Khan PSA Satellite Championship: Mohammad Ammad lifts title
Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Mohammad Ammad of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has won the title of the 4th Image Torsam Khan PSA Satellite Squash Championship 2025 after beating Abdullah Nawaz of WAPDA in final here at Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex,Mohammad Ammad won by 11-7, 12-10, 11-5 and 11-0. In the women's category, Nimra Batool outclassed Sameer Shahid by 3-0. Nimra Batool's winning score was 11-7, 11-6 and 11-5. In the under-14 boys' final, Fazal Rehman defeated Tahoor Tahir by 3-0. Fazal Rehman won by 11-7, 11-9 and 11-8.The chief guest, former world champion Jahangir Khan, and Image Pakistan CEO Asad distributed prizes among the players. .
Karachi Open Squash Championship concludes, Anas wins title
Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Anas Khan has won the men’s title of the 5th Karachi Open Squash Championship 2025 after overcoming Naveed Rehman 3-2 in the final at the Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan (RKJK) Squash Complex, Karachi on Sunday. The final score-line was 11-8, 11-9, 4-11, 10-12, and 11-7, as the match lasted 45 minutes.Earlier, in the women’s final, Dammia Khan secured the title after defeating Anam Aziz 3-0, with scores of 11-5, 11-8 before Anam retired from the match (RTD).The men’s final was a thrilling five-set encounter in which Anas Khan edged out Naveed Rehman with a score-line of 11-8, 11-9, 4-11, 10-12, 11-7. The match lasted 45 minutes and was a fitting climax to the championship.The closing ceremony was graced by several distinguished guests including Shakeel Mohammad Paracha, Chief Manager, State Bank of Pakistan; Abdul Basit Shaikh, Chief Country Representative, Mashreq Bank Pakistan Liaison Office, Mohammad Afzal, Assistant Manager, PN RKJK Squash Complex; and Mohammad Naveed Alam, Tournament Director.
U23 World Squash Championship: Top seed Aboelkheir makes dominant start
Sports Bulletin ReportKarachi:Women's top seed Fayrouz Aboelkheir made a convincing start to her U23 World Squash Championship campaign as the Egyptian World No.14 dominated Spain's Noa Romero Blazquez to reach the quarter-finals in Karachi.Like the rest of the seeded players in the women's event, Aboelkheir had received a bye through to the last 16 of the inaugural edition of the championships, which features a $60,000 prize pot and a spot in the PSA World Championships for the winner.There was no sign of rust from the 19-year-old today, as she attacked from the beginning against her unseeded opponent.After making a positive start, Aboelkheir never looked in danger of slipping. The Egyptian was completely dominating at the front of the court and rarely moved off 'the T' as she recorded a lightning-fast 11-4, 11-2, 11-4 win, needing just 21 minutes to wrap up the victory.Afterwards, she said: "I'm very happy to get through today and am looking forward. It's the first time we've had this tournament so I'm very excited to be playing here and hope I can get the win tomorrow and keep going all week!"Aboelkheir will face Hong Kong, China's Toby Tse in the quarter-final after the 5/8 seed defeated France's Kara Lincou 3-1.Meanwhile, in the men's draw, home favourites Noor Zaman and Hamza Khan progressed after convincing wins over Poland's Jakub Pytlowany and England's Will Salter.On the glass court at DHA Creek Club, No.2 seed Zaman - grandson to Pakistan legend Qamar Zaman and in red hot form after winning the Liverpool Cricket Club Open last week - was totally dominant in an 11-4, 11-5, 11-3 victory.Khan, World Junior Champion in 2023, was also convincing, with the 19-year-old taking down Salter 11-5, 11-6, 11-5.
WSF U23 World Squash Championship 2025 starts in Karachi
Noor Zaman, Mohammad Hamza claim victories, Mohammad Ammad faces defeat 3-2Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Duo of Pakistan squash guys -Noor Zaman and Mohammad Hamza- jumped into next round of the WSF U23 World Men’s Squash Championship 2025 after beating their respective opponents at Defence Creek Club, Karachi on Sunday. Mohammad Ammad lost his contest 3-2 in a nerve-jangling competition.Second seed local squash player, Noor Zaman overcame his challenger Hussain Alzaatari from Kuwait 3-1 after showing impressive game on the court, as he finished the match with the score-line of 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, and 11-3.Mohammad Hamza Khan outclassed Radu Stefan Pena from Romania in straight games 3-0. He exhibited top-class squash and amused the spectators with his powerful drives and classic drop shorts, The final score-line was just 11-3, 11-1, and 11-5.Result (Men’s Event):Ibrahim Alkabbani (Egypt) beat Leon Krysik (Polad) (3-1) 11-2, 9-11, 12-10, 11-2Matteo Carrouget (Franc) beat Makar Esin (Neutral Athlete) (3-0) 11-6, 11-5, 11-4Duncan Lee (Malaysia) beat Kareem Michael (Canada) (3-1) 3-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7R. Damming (Netherlands) beat Kijan Sultana (Malta) (3-0) 11-2, 11-6, 11-8David Bernet (Switzerland) beat Yuta Adno (Japan) (3-0) 11-2, 11-8, 11-7Hugo Lafuente Jaen (Spain) beat Kajetn Lipski (Poland) (3-1) 11-6, 13-11, 4-11, 11-1Lap Au (Hong Kong) beat Reuel Videler (South Africa (3-1) 11-2, 11-9, 11-2K. El Torkey (Egypt) beat Hao Cui (USA) (3-0) 11-1, 11-6, 11-5A. Chandaran (Malaysia) beat Mohammad Ammad (Pakistan) (3-2) 10-12, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8Mattew Lam (Hong Kong) beat Pouya Shafiefard (Iran) (3-2) 10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 8-11, 11-3Will Salter (England) beat Jerome Aw (Singapore) (3-1) 11-9, 11-3, 8-11, 11-4Mohammad Hamza Khan (Pakistan) beat Radu Stefan Pena (Romania) (3-0) 11-3, 11-1, 11-5M. Scianimanico (France) beat Nevindo Lakman (Sri Lanka) (3-1) 11-9, 11-3, 12-14, 11-2D. Groenewald Ernesto (South Africa) beat Revrt Escutia (Spain) (3-1) 11-9, 11-5, 1-11, 11-8Jakub Pytlowany (Poland) beat Juan Joce (Columbia) W/oNoor Zaman (Pakistan) beat Hussain Alzaatari (Kuwait) (3-1) 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 11-3Result (Women’s Event):Noa Romero Blazquez (Spain) beat Mariam Malik (Pakistan) (3-0) 11-3, 11-2, 11-4Kurumi Takahashi (Japan) beat Amana Fayyaz (Pakistan) (3-1) 11-9, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9S. Ingledew (South Africa) beat Yeheni Kuruppu (Sri Lanka) (3-0) 11-7, 11-6, 11-3T. Holzdauerova (Czech Republic) beat Sana Bahdur (Pakistan) (3-1) 13-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8Icia Riveiro (Spain) beat Ana Munos (Franc) (3-1) 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3Tereza Siroka (Czech Republic) beat Varvara Esina (Neutral Athlete) W/o.
U23 World Squash Championship to start on Sunday in Karachi
Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: The first Under-23 World Squash Championship 2025 will roll into action on Sunday (April 6) at DHA Squash Courts Karachi, as the World No. 61 Ibrahim Elkabbani top seed player of the first international U23 lads.Noor Zaman represents the hosts best hope, with the 20-year-old Peshawari – grandson of the legendary Qamar Zaman – the tournament’s second seed and drawn against Kuwait’s Hussain Alzaatari in round one.Also representing Pakistan in Karachi are 2023 World Junior Champion Hamza Khan, who plays Spain’s Hugo Lafuente Jaen in round one, and Muhammad Ammad, who has been drawn against fourth seed Mohammed Naseer.Khan is one of two former world champions in the men’s draw, with the 19-year-old joined by the Netherlands’ Rowan Damming. Damming, World Junior Champion in 2022, is seventh seed and will face Malta’s Kijan Sultana in round one.In the women’s event, World No. 13 Fayrouz Aboelkheir top seed female 19-year-old receiving a bye through to round two and set to play the winner of the round one clash between Spain’s Noa Romero Blazquez and Pakistan’s Mariam Malik. Aboelkheir is one of two Egyptians in the women’s draw and, should the tournament go to seedings, the Alexandrian will take on second seed Malak Khafagy in an all-Egyptian final.Hoping to spoil the party will be Malaysian third seed Aira Azman, a silver medal winner at the 2023 World Junior Championships, and fourth seed Chan Sin Yuk of Hong Kong,. Chan is joined by two compatriots in the top eight seeds, with Heylie Fung seeded fifth and Toby Tse seeded eighth.Completing the seedings are Japan No. 2 Akari Midorikawa, who has been seeded sixth, and seventh seed Xin Ying Yee of Malaysia. Also in action for the hosts are Sana Bahadar and Amna Fayyaz, with Bahadar up against Czechia’s Tamara Holzbauerová and Fayyaz taking on Japan’s Kurumi Takahashi.
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