Indian Junior Open Squash: 5 titles for hosts

A sucessful event with over 300 participants from 6 countries. The hosts winning 5 of the 10 titles at stake.

The Indian Squash Academy trained Chennai lad Kush Kumar did the country proud by ousting the favourite and top seeded Jordanian Ahmed Alsaraj to win the Boy’s Under-17 title in the 3rd Indian Junior Squash championship here today.

Kush Kumar’s 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9 win over Ahmed Alsaraj overshadowed the decisive efforts of his compatriots Mahesh Mangaonkar and Asian Junior Champion, Anaka Alankamony, a first year student of the SSN Engineering College in claiming the Boys and Girls Under-19 titles respectively. This win will help Kush Kumar as also all the other winners and runners up of this prestigious event, to earn valuable ranking points by the World and Asian squash Federations.

In the match between Kush Kumar and Ahmed Alsaraj, the Indian played to his strategy and things went in his favour according to the game plan. Today, his adaptability with difficult straight drives against an Asian Champion worked as the lethal weapon for Kush Kumar. Though the Jordanian fought back, at times coming up with excellent drops close to the wall, Kush Kumar was up to his task and never yielded any room for Ahmed to succeed. Later, Kush Kumar considered his win as “a great victory for my country….India”.

In the Under-19 finals, both Mahesh, a member of the Indian squad that competed in the World Mens championship held in Germany last month, was totally focused today to score a 11-7 11-1 11-3 against compatriot Abhishek Pradhan, while Anaka was in her usual rhythmic style in dishing out eye catching effective drives and drops to win in straight games of 11-6, 11-8, 11-9 against Ho Ka Po of Hong Kong.

However, 3-4 seeded Harshit Kaur of India caused a upset beating second seed Chan Ho Ching in the Girls Under-15 final the Delhi girl also hogged the lime light like Kush Kumar in proving her points, particularly her mental toughness. The manner which Harshit recovered from the dumps of having lost the first two games displayed her fighting qualities in great measure with comfort. Harshit Kaur excelled with her delightful boasts and delicate drops to claim the title at 6-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-4 against Chan Ho Ching of Hong Kong.

In the Girls Under-13 final, top seeded and favourite Aishwarya Bhattacharya fought gallantly before losing the title match to 3-4 seeded Ho Ka Wing of Hong Kong 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11. Each of the games was fought out with the rivals matching with their strengths but Aishwarya wilted under pressure in the fifth and final game which went to tie-break.

The Boys Under-11 title was won by top seeded Veer Chotrani, son of former champion Manish Chotrani. Veer defeated compatriot Tushar Shahani 10-12, 11-8, 11-8, 13-11.

Mr.Srivatsan Subramanian, Vice President, Asian Squash Federation and Seretary General, Squash Federation of India, who was the chief guest, distributed certificates and trophies to the winners and runners up.

Final Results:

Boys Un-11: Veer Chotrani bt Tushar Shahani 10-12 11-8 11-8 13-11,

Boys Un-13: Mohammad Alsarraj (Jor) bt Ranjit Singh 11-9 11-9 11-5,

Boys Un-15: Yuen Tsun Hei (H.K) bt Yohan Pandole 8-11 11-4 11-8 11-8,

Boys Un-17: Kush Kumar bt Ahmad Alsaraj (Jor) 11-5 9-11 11-9 11-9,

Boys Un-19: Mahesh Mangaonkar bt Abhishek Pradhan 11-7 11-1 11-3 and

Girls Un- 11: Lui Hiu Lam (H.K) bt Diya Joukni 11-5 11-1 11-2,

Girls Un-13: Ho Ka Wing (H.K) bt Aishwarya Bhattacharya 9-11 11-7 8-11 11-8 13-11,

Girls Un-15: Harshit Kaur bt Chan Ho Ching (H.K) 6-11 9-11 11-5 11-7 11-4,

Girls Un-17: Ho Tze Lok (H.K) bt Choi Uen Shan (H.K) 11-7 19-17 11-6 and

Girls Un-19: Anaka Alankamony bt Ho Ka Po (H.K) 11-6 11-8 11-9.