ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s junior squash stars delivered a dominant performance at the 32nd Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships in South Korea, securing four spots in Saturday’s finals and guaranteeing at least one gold medal with an all-Pakistan showdown in the boys Under-15 category.

The semi-finals concluded with emphatic victories across multiple age groups.

In the boys U-15 event, top seed Nauman Khan stormed past Aryaman S of India with a commanding 11-5, 11-1, 11-5. Compatriot, Ahmed Rayyan Khalil, was equally impressive, defeating Hong Kong’s Yuen T.L 11-8, 11-2, 11-1 to set up an all-Pakistan clash for the title.

Pakistan’s success extended to other categories. In the boys U-13 semi-finals, top seed Mohammad Sohail Adnan secured his place in the final by outclassing India’s Amarya B 11-5, 11-1, 11-2.

Meanwhile, in the Girls U-13 event, Mahnoor Ali produced a stunning performance to dethrone top seed Maisarah B.K.N of Malaysia, winning 11-7, 11-5, 11-7.

The only blot on an otherwise perfect day came when Abdullah Nawaz lost his U-19 last-four match against top-seed Jooyoung Naa of South Korea 11-7, 10-12, 11-2, 11-4.

Sohail faces India’s Ayyan Dhanuka for the U-13 title, while Mahnoor takes on Yin Z of China in the Girls U-13 decider.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2025