Hamza Khan makes history by winning World Junior Squash Championship after 37 years
Pakistan’s Hamza Khan made history after he won the World Junior Squash Championship by defeating Egypt’s Mohamed Zakaria 3-1 in Melbourne, Australia, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.
Hamza won the title after 37 years with a scoreline of 10-12, 14-12, 11-3 and 11-6. The last Pakistani player to lift this title was Jansher Khan in 1986.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation over the victory of Hamza Khan in the final of the World Junior Squash Championship. He commended Hamza Khan for winning the title after 37 years.
“Hamza Khan has made the memory of Jansher Khan’s victory in the 1986 World Junior Squash Championship afresh,” Shehbaz Sharif said.
“The nation pays tribute to Hamza Khan for hoisting the Pakistani flag once again in the world of squash,” he added.
Earlier, Hamza Khan qualified for the final by defeating French player Melvil Scianimanico. Hamza won the match with a scoreline of 11-8, 11-4, 10-12, 9-11 and 13-11.
The match between Hamza and the French player lasted for 81 minutes. Hamza was the first Pakistani player to reach the final of the event since Aamir Atlas in 2008.
Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi congratulated Hamza while also announcing Rs1 million as a “token of appreciation” from the Zalmi Foundation.
Hamza’s road to the final has been filled with hard-fought victories against formidable opponents. In the quarter-finals, he demonstrated his prowess by defeating Malaysia’s Joachim Chuah in a closely contested match that ended 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10, showcasing his determination and skills on the court.
His journey began in the round of 16, where he showcased his dominance by defeating Netherlands’ Samuel Grates with a commanding scoreline of 12-10, 11-6, 11-3, and 11-7, leaving a lasting impression on the competition.
This momentous achievement marks a significant milestone for Pakistan, as it has been 15 years since a Pakistani player reached the final of the World Junior Squash Championship. The last player to achieve this feat was Aamir Atlas in 2008.
The talent and dedication have not gone unnoticed in the squash community as Hamza Khan makes it to the Championship final. In the previous edition of the World Juniors, he made it to the semi-finals but faced defeat against England’s Finnlay Withington. However, this year, he has shown tremendous growth and resilience, propelling him to the pinnacle of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Huzaifa Khan, another talented Pakistani player, put up a valiant fight in his campaign. In a thrilling encounter against USA’s Rishi Srivastava, Huzaifa showed great determination by bouncing back after losing the first two sets.
He secured two successive sets with scores of 11-8 and 11-8, displaying his skill and determination. However, in the end, Rishi clinched the final set with a score of 11-9, bringing an end to Huzaifa’s journey in the pre-quarter-finals.
Pakistan’s representation at the championship has been commendable, with three players, including Moeen-ud-din and Huzaifa Ibrahim Khan, participating. Hamza’s outstanding performance has garnered praise and admiration from fans and fellow players, underscoring the promising future of Pakistani squash on the international stage.
The anticipation is high as the World Junior Squash Championship final approaches, with Hamza Khan’s name etched in history as he vies for the coveted title. The young prodigy’s determination and talent promise an exhilarating showdown in the final, as he strives to bring glory to Pakistan and leave a lasting mark on the world of squash.
Reporter: Rozina Ali