Sports Bulletin

Sports DeskISLAMABAD: Defending champions Ali Farag and Nour ElSherbini have been named as the top seeds for the British Open 2024, taking place from 2-9 June. An all-glass show court will again be erected in Birmingham’s Rep Theatre, with play also coming from the Edgbaston Priory Club for the first two rounds.Women’s top seed ElSherbini captured last years title in great style, beating Nouran Gohar in straight games to claim a third British Open trophy. The 28-year-old has been in great form this season and will be aiming to claim a seventh win of the 2023/24 campaign. The World No.1 also has a chance to claim revenge over Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam early in the competition as that match up takes place in round two after the pair receive opening round byes.Now World No.3 Hania El Hammamy is the No.2 seed for the event, looking to claim a first British Open title of her career. The Egyptian was forced to withdraw from the recent El Gouna International but will be determined to return in strong style and claim a first title of 2024. El Hammamy will need to be at her best from the start as she takes on compatriot and World No.10 Rowan Elaraby in her opening match in round two.After picking up back-to-back World Tour titles in El Gouna, No.3 seed Nouran Gohar is the in-from player heading into this years British Open. ‘The Terminator’ defeated Nour ElSherbini in a best of five match for the first time since October 2022 in the final, which will give the former World No.1 bags of confidence as she looks to claim a second British Open title. Gohar will open her campaign in round two against either Katie Malliff or Emily Whitlock.Belgium’s Nele Gilis completes the top four seeds as she enters this year’s event at her highest seeding position of No.4. The 27-year-old’s best finish in a British Open came back in 2019, where she defeated sister Tinne to reach the quarter finals, ranked 29 in the world at the time. Now situated in the World’s top four, Gilis will be looking to achieve her seeding and give herself a shot at reaching a second Platinum event final.Men’s top seed Ali Farag produced an unbelievable performance in last year’s championships, where not only did he win his first British Open title, but did so whilst fasting. Since last year’s victory, Farag has reached the final in all but one of the fifteen events that he has played in, winning in ten of those finals. The World No.1 recently claimed his 40th PSA win in El Gouna but will be thirsty for more as he heads to Birmingham looking to defend his title. He’ll take on the winner of Leandro Romiglio and Omar Mosaad in round two.Two-time British Open champion Paul Coll is the No.2 seed for the event this year, looking to claim a sixth title of the season and cement his position as World No.2. Coll is one of only two players to beat Farag this season and looks to have taken his game up a level in an attacking sense. Coll recently lost out to former World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad in the El Gouna International but may have the chance to claim revenge as the pair are set to meet again in the quarter finals if the seedings go to plan. The New Zealander will face the winner of Nicolas Mueller and George Parker in his first match in round two.It was during last years British Open that Peruvian Diego Elias achieved his childhood dream to become World No.1. The 27-year-old was guaranteed to rise to the summit after Gawad downed Mohamed Elshorbagy in round three. Despite the obvious distraction, Elias managed to reach the final but couldn’t top off the momentous week as he lost to Farag in four games. Elias now finds himself at World No.4 and hasn’t claimed a title over Silver level yet this season. He’ll be hoping to regain his form from last year to put a strong week together in Birmingham and silence the critics.The man who has most recently overtaken Elias is No.4 seed Mostafa Asal. Also a former World No.1, Asal has returned to form in recent months, showing the quality that everyone knows he is capable of. The 22-year-old won the Florida Open in January and followed that up with a win at the Black Ball Squash Open as well as runner-up finishes at the London Classic and El Gouna International. The Egyptian has been changing the way he plays under the guidance of former Commonwealth Gold Medalist James Willstrop, a partnership that looks to be exactly what Asal needed. The World No.4 finds himself in the same half of the draw as No.2 seed Coll and will still have the London Classic final in is mind as he seeks revenge.Torrie Malik and Asia Harris are the women’s wildcards this year whilst Simon Herbert and Jonah Bryant claim the spots in the men’s draw. Bryant is one of England’s top prospects, currently ranked No.72 in the world and has already claimed six titles on the Challenger Tour this season, most recently the Irish Open in Dublin. The quartet will all be hoping to score round one upsets to gain valuable ranking points. (Thanks to Sean Reuthe). 

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Rising Pakistani squash lad, Mohammad Ashab Irfan got rid of Jorge Luis Gomez Dominguez from Mexico 3-1 in the PSA Squash Tournament final after a well contested four games contest at Rochester City, United States of America (USA). The final score-line was 12-10, 11-4, 9-11, and 11-9, as the championship match lasted 60 minutes. The tournament was pursuing prize money of $9000. According to available information from abroad, Mohammad Ashab Irfan exhibited an excellent game. He toiled hard on the court to overcome his opponent and won the first game on a tiebreak. Results:Final: Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Jorge Luis Gomez Dominguez (Mexico) 12-10, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9 (60m)Semifinal: Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Ronald Palomino (Colombia) 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 4-11, 11-4 (75m)Quarterfinal: Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Adegoke Onaopemipo (Nigeria) 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 (36m)Round II: Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Matias Lacroix (Chile) 11-5, 11-8, 14-12 (43m)Round I: Mohammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) got a bye.

Pakistani player outclasses Mohammad Changanin from Iran in straight sets 3-0 in finalSports DeskISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Qadir Rehman Gul won the gold medal by defeating Iranian player Mohammad Changanin in straight sets 3-0 in the Under-19 final of the Qatar Classical Junior Squash Championship. The final score-line was 12-10, 11-6, 11-8.In the Under-11 category, Fahad Faheem of Pakistan claimed the third position. In the match played for the third position, Fahid Faheem won by 3-1 with the score-line of 11-3, 12-10, 7-11, 11-4. 

Sports DeskISLAMABAD: Thomas Bedore and Patrick Bedore became the first father and son champions after winning the titles of the US Masters together in the 112-year history of the National Singles of Unites States of America (USA).The Bedore family’s historic performance follows an already impressive 2023 tournament where Thomas–a five-time champion–reached the 65+ semifinals and Patrick reached the 35+ final. Newly aged into the 70+ division as the two seed and coached by his son, Thomas came back from 2-0 down against top seed Richard von Hirschberg to clinch the title 10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-1, 11-6. In the last final of the day, Patrick avenged his 2023 35+ final loss against Ashraf Yassin in a close final 16-14, 13-11, 11-9 to capture his first national title.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: There are just three months to go until this year’s WSF World Junior Squash Championships, which are taking place in Houston Squash Club, Houston Texas United States of America (USA) from July 12 to 23, 2024. This year’s championships, which will comprise of an individual and team competition, will feature concurrent men’s and women’s team events for the first time in event history.Last year’s championships, which took place in Melbourne, Australia, Egypt’s Amina Orfi won her second individual title and led Egypt to victory in the team event, while Hamza Khan ended Pakistan’s 37-year wait for a title in the men’s individual event. The last edition of the men’s team event took place in Nancy, France in 2022, where England defeated Egypt 2-1.

Sports Bulletin ReportMelbourne (Australia): Pakistani players clinched gold and bronze medals in the Australia Junior Squash Championship 2024 held at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre at Albert Park, Victoria.In a display of outstanding skill and perseverance, Pakistani players, both boys and girls, dominated the courts throughout the tournament, culminating in impressive victories on the final day.Additionally, Mohammad Harmas Ali Raja in Under 11, Fawad Khan in Under 13, and Azaan Ali Khan in Under 15 categories have secured bronze medals in the championship.Results (finals):Boys’ U13: Huzaifa Shahid (PAK) beat Gng Hung Yu (AUS) 3-0 (11-6, 11-3, 11-2)Boys’ U15: Yahya Khan (PAK) beat Henry Kross (AUS) 3-0 (12-10, 11-7, 11-3)Boys’ U17: Ibrahim Zeb (PAK) beat Brodie Bennett (NZ) 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-6)Girls’ U13: Mahnoor Ali (PAK) beat Emily Senior (Malaysian) 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-4)Girls’ U17: Mehwish (PAK) beat Erin Wyllie (Malaysian) 3-2 (10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6)

Sports Bulletin ReportMelbourne (Australia): Six Pakistani boys and a couple of girls moved into the next round of the Australia Junior Squash Championship 2024 by winning their respective matches here at Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre Albert Park, Victoria on Tuesday.Results (Pakistan’s Matches):Boys’ U11: Mohammad Ahrmas (Pak) beat Hankin leung (AUS) 11-4, 11-1, 11-1 (16mins)Boys’ U13: Huzaifa Shahid (Pak) beat Lee Man He (Malaysia) 11-2, 11-5, 11-1 (16mins)Mohammad Fawad Khan (Pakistan) beat Kai Dumbleton (Australia) 11-3, 11-4, 11-9 (3-0)Boys’ U15: Azan Ali Khan beat Zac Lain 11-4, 11-3, 11-4 (18mins)Yahya Khan beat Joel Roshan 11-4 11-7 11 7-11 12-10 (35mims)Boys’ U17: Ibrahim Zeb beat Ethan 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 (24mins)Girls’ U13: Mahnoor Ali beat Gizela Josif 11-2, 11-3, 11-3 (15mins)Girls U17: Mehwish Ali beat Edam Alma 11-5, 11-7, 11-5 (22 mins)

Under-15 Syeda Sarah Ali earns a thrilling victory against host girl June Steel 3-2Sports Bulletin ReportMelbourne (Australia): Pakistani boys and girls started their campaign in the Australia Junior Squash Championship 2024 in style by registering impressive victories on the opening day here at Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre Albert Park, Victoria on Monday.Results of Pakistan matches:Boys’ U11: Ahrmas Ali (Pak) beat Nathan Lin (Aus) 11-1, 11-1, 11-3 (14 mins)Boys’ U13: Huzaifa Shahid (Pak) beat Daniel Webb (Aus) 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 (23 mins)Mohammad Fawad Khan (Pak) beat Lockie Jones (Aus) 11-3, 11-3, 11-4, (17 mins)Boys’ U15: Azan Ali Khan (Pak) beat Max Jones (Aus) 11-2 11-4 11-2 (15mins)Yahya Khan (Pak) beat Olly Collier (AUS) 11-3, 11-8, 11-8 (19 mins)Boy's U17: Ibrahim Zeb (Pak) beat Phillip H chow (Aus) 11-3, 11-3, 11-2 (21 mins)Girls’ U13: Mahnoor Ali beat Yashica Jiwa (Aus) 11-2, 11-1, 11-1 (18 mins)Girls’ U15: Syeda Sarah Ali (Pak) beat June steel (Aus) 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10 (37mins)Girls’ U17: Mehwish Ali (Pak) beat Limeetha Sai (MAS) 11-4, 12-10, 11-5 (24 mins)

46 nations to compete for titles, England to defend men’s, Egypt women’s titleAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Besides Pakistan 45 other nations will participate in the WSF World Junior Team, and Individual Championships, which will roll into action on July 12, 2024, at Houston Squash Club, United States of America (USA).A record number of 46 teams will fight for the top honour in the 12-day international squash showpiece. Competitions will wrap up on July 23 at the same venue under the banner of World Squash Federation (WSF). During the World Junior Team Championships, national federation squads of four players aged under 19 compete against each other in individual matches, with the first team to win two matches winning the tie.This year’s championships will feature a men’s and women’s event being held simultaneously for the first time in tournament history. In the men’s event, 27 teams are set to compete, the joint-fifth most in event history while in the women’s, there will be 19 teams, the joint-second most after the 2005 championships, which saw 20 teams compete.This year, 16 federations will send both a men’s and women’s team, including hosts USA, defending men’s champions England, and defending women’s champions Egypt. This year’s championships will also see debuts for the Philippines and Macau, China, with both federations sending a men’s team for the first time.Names of participating countries (46): Australia (Both), Brazil (Both), Canada (Both), Chinese Taipei (Both), Colombia (Both), Czech Republic (Men’s), Egypt (Both), England (Both), France (Both), Germany (Both), Guyana (Men’s), Hong Kong, China (Both), India (Both), Ireland (Both), Japan (Both), Korea (Men’s), Kuwait (Men’s), Macau, China (Men’s), Malaysia (Both), New Zealand (Both), Pakistan (Both), Philippines (Men’s), Scotland (Women’s), South Africa (Both), Spain (Men’s), Sweden (Men’s), Switzerland (Men’s), USA (Both)

Mohammad Huzaifa Ibrahim outclasses American lad Christian Capella in straight games 3-0Sports Bulletin Report Houston (USA): Pakistan Squash Player, Mohammad Huzaifa Ibrahim has won the title of Houston Open Under -19 Squash Championship 2024 by defeating American player Christian Capella in straight games 3-0 in the final here at Houston Squash Arena Texas, United States of America (USA). The final score-line was 11-4, 11-8, and 12-10.It is pertinent to mention here that in the semifinal, Mohammad Huzaifa Ibrahim ousted Rustin Wiser of America 3-2 after a tough competition with game scores of 3-1, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, and 12-10. With this victory, Mohammad Huzaifa succeeded in winning the 35th international title overall.