Pakistani juniors clinch two titles at Asian junior squash championship 2025
Pakistan’s Sohail secures a convincing four-game victory over India’s Ayaan Dhanuka in final
GIMCHEON: Pakistani players delivered outstanding performances at the Asian junior squash championship 2025, securing titles in both the boys’ Under-13 and Under-15 categories here at Gimcheon in South Korea on Saturday.
In the boys’ Under-13 final, Pakistan's Sohail Adnan defeated India’s Ayaan Dhanuka in a commanding four-game match. Adnan displayed exceptional skill and composure, winning with scores of 11-5, 11-2, 11-13 and 11-6.
Meanwhile, the boys’ Under-15 final was an all-Pakistan showdown, where Nauman Khan triumphed over compatriot Ahmad Rayan Khalil. Nauman delivered a dominant performance, clinching the title in straight sets with scores of 12-10, 11-6 and 11-2.
In the girls’ Under-13 final, Pakistan’s Mahnoor Ali put up a valiant fight but narrowly lost in a five-game thriller against China’s second seed Yan Ziwan.
The tightly contested match saw Ziwan edged past Mahnoor with scores of 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 9-11 and 12-10.
Earlier in the semifinals, Pakistani players had impressed by reaching the finals in the boys’ U-13, boys’ U-15 and girls’ U-13 categories.
Nauman advanced to the U-15 final with a dominant straight-sets victory over India’s Aryaman Singh, winning 11-5, 11-1, 11-5.
His compatriot, Ahmad Rayan Khalil, pulled off a stunning upset against third seed Yuen Tsz Kong of Hong Kong, cruising through 11-8, 11-2 and 11-1.
In the boys’ U-13 semifinals, Sohail maintained his top form, overpowering India’s Amarya Bajaj with a clinical 11-5, 11-2 and 11-2 victory to book his place in the final.
On the girls’ side, Mahnoor Ali caused one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by defeating top-seeded Malaysian Maisarah Binti Khairulnizam in straight sets, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7, to reach the girls’ U-13 final.
However, Pakistan’s campaign in the boys’ U-19 category ended in the semifinals. Abdullah Nawaz put up a spirited fight but was edged out by Korea’s top seed Jo Young Na. Despite taking the first game, Nawaz was unable to maintain momentum and lost 7-11, 12-10, 11-2, 11-4.
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