10 things to know about British Junior Open bronze medalist Neel Joshi

Neel Joshi with his award on Wednesday

India’s Neel Joshi brought glory for the country on Wednesday, after clinching the bronze medal at the prestigious British Junior Open in Sheffield, defeating Kareem El Torkey of Egypt in three tight games.

The 12-year-old has been one of the most impressive junior players on the circuit and his latest triumph, further qualifies as certainly a player to watch out for in the future.

Here are a few things to know about him:

1.Neel Joshi was born on June 8th 2003 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

2.Neel first took up the sport at the age of 6. He, being young, used to travel with his sister, Nikita Joshi, and see her play for her country on many occasions. He has actually been to the British Junior Open twice in the past but didn't get the chance to play. This year was his third visit and it was the first time that he was representing the country. 

3.Neel burst into the limelight at the age of 9 when he finished as a semifinalist in the U11 category in the Sub-Junior Championships.

4.However, it was in 2013, that he made a real impression in the squash world, clinching Matunga Gymkhana Junior title, The Pune Open title, the Maharashtra State Open title and then the big one  The National Junior Championships in the Under-11 category. He rounded off the year with a win at the CCI Western Open.

5.2014 saw the youngster finish as a runner-up in two competitions- the NSCI Juniors and Doubles Open and the Maharashtra Junior Open. He also finished 4th at the National Championships in the Under 13 category.

6.2015 proved to be fruitful year for the Neel as he won the ISA Junior Open in May, the NSCI Junior Open, the Jodhpur Junior Open, a second National Championships, this time in the Under-13 category and a second consecutive CCI Western Open title, again in the Under 13 category, to round off 2015 with a bang.

7.Neel began 2016 on a high as well, reaching the semifinals of the prestigious British junior Open, beating the second seed  Mohamed Mostafa of Egypt in 5 pulsating games  in the fourth round to enter the quarterfinals.

8.However, the youngster put up a spirited performance in the bronze medal play-off against Kareem El Torkey of Egypt, beating his opponent 11/8, 11/5, 12/10  to finish third. 

9.This is India’s second straight medal after Kush Kumar had captured the bronze at the same event in 2015.

10.He is presently ranked number 1 in the Under -13 category of the Indian Junior Rankings and will surely look to scale further heights in 2016.