Asian Junior Squash Championship 2013

30 June 2013

Malaysians make squash history at Asian Juniors

By AFTAR SINGH

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia created history in the Asian Junior Squash Championships, winning five out of the eight titles at stake in Amman, Jordan, yesterday.

Malaysia were victorious in both the girls’ and boys’ Under-13 and Under-15 categories as well as the boys’ Under-17 title.

Kah Yan Ooi, the joint third-fourth seed, delivered the first title for Malaysia by stunning second seed Liu Hui Lam of Hong Kong 11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8 in the girls’ Under-13 category.

Mohd Hafiz Zhafri Abdul Harif then delivered title No. 2. He lived up to his top billing, beating second seed Veer Chotrani of India 11-6, 14-12, 12-10 in the boys’ Under-13 final.

In the girls’ Under-15, second seed Andrea Jia Qi Lee ended joint third-fourth seed Zoe Foo’s gallant run with an 11-7, 10-12, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4 win in an all-Malaysian final.

Top seed Mohd Farez Izwan Mohd Mukhtar then came back from the brink of defeat to beat second seed Mohammad Alsarraj of Jordan 9-11, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4 in the boys’ Under-15 final for title No. 4.

Malaysia’s fifth crown was won by second Ng Eain Yow who upset top seed and compatriot Mohd Syafiq Mohd Kamal in the boys’ Under-17 final 11-4, 11-4, 6-11, 11-6.

Previously, Malaysia’s best-ever achievement was three titles – in Jordan in 2011 and Iran last year.

“The future of squash looks bright,” said SRAM general manager Christopher Brodie.