Hamza creates history, wins World Jr C’ ship
Hamza Khan fought back to become Pakistan’s first WSF World Junior Squash champion at the 2023 WSF World Junior Squash Championships, since Jansher Khan in 1986.
In an incredible men’s final at Melbourne Sports Centers, 15-year-old Mohamed Zakaria – who would have become the youngest ever winner of the men’s event with a victory – made the better start, with his precise play helping him clinch the opening game 12-10.
The Egyptian made a flying start to the second game, racing into a 5-0 lead as Khan struggled.
The 17-year-old, however, then mounted a brilliant fightback, with his devastating attacking weaponry at its deadly best as he thrilled the crowd with the winner after winner, coming back from game ball down to level the match with a 14-12 victory in game two before storming into the lead with an 11-3 win in game three.
Khan kept up this momentum in game four, finding his attacks with increasing confidence as he ended Pakistan’s 37-year wait for a WSF World Junior Squash Championship with an 11-6 win before collapsing to the floor with emotion.
“First of all, I would like to thank Allah, and my thanks to my coaches, my managers, thanks to everybody. And thanks to my parents, who support me every single time. Thank you,” a still-emotional Khan said afterwards.
World Junior Individual Championship was held from August 18 to 23 in Melbourne, Australia. Hamza Khan and Air Commodore (R) Aftab Sadiq Qureshi (Contingent Manager) were nominated by Pakistan Squash Federation for participation in the championship.
The emerging Hamza displayed brilliant performance throughout the championship and created history by winning the world championship title after 37 years.
Earlier, Jansher Khan had won World Junior Individual Championship in 1986 in Australia. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, President PSF, Air Vice Marshal Kazim Hammad, Senior Vice President and the whole squash family and squash lovers have congratulated Hamza on regaining the World Junior Championship title after about four decades.
Result: WSF World Junior Squash Championships Men’s Final: Hamza Khan (PAK) beat Mohamed Zakaria (EGY) 3-1: 10-12, 14-12, 11-3, 11-6 (70m).
Source(s) & Courtesy: APP
