WSF World Junior Squash Championships 2024: Shaurya Bawa loses to Egyptian top seed Mohamed Zakaria in semi-final
It was a tough day for the Indian squash players in the WSF World Junior Squash Championships 2024 as Shaurya Bawa bowed out of the competition after suffering a defeat in the semi-finals.
However, Avalokit Singh staged a victory in the 49th/52nd place encounter, defeating Malaysia’s Oscar Okonkwo 3-0. Other Indian players suffered defeats in their respective encounters.
Nevertheless, Shaurya guaranteed himself a medal despite losing the semi-final contest to Egyptian top-seed Mohamed Zakaria, as he lost 0-3 (5-11, 5-11, 9-11).
Bawa became India's first WSF World Junior Squash Championship semi-finalist in 10 years. The 18-year-old from Delhi became only the second Indian male to reach the semifinals after Kush Kumar, who reached the last-four stage in the 2014 edition.
Indian squash players created history in the competition as it was the first time India had two players in the quarterfinals of the same World Junior Championships.
On the other hand, the 16-year-old women’s national champion Anahat Singh lost a close five-setter to Egypt’s Nadien Elhammamy 2-3. This was one of the most thrilling matches in the competition, with the Indian ending on the losing side.
In the women's category, Egypt players Amina Orfi and Fayrouz Abouelkheir will lock horns in the grand finale. In the men's section, Mohamed Zakaria will compete with Joo Young Na.
Around 15 junior squash players from India competed in the WSF World Junior Squash Championships 2024. However, only two players (Anahat Singh and Shaurya Bawa) managed to bag the knockout spots.
WSF World Junior Squash Championships 2024: Day 5 Results (Indians only)
Semi-final: Shaurya Bawa lost to Mohamed Zakaria (Egypt) by 0-3 (5-11, 5-11, 9-11)
81st/84th Place: Sehar Nayar lost to Luciana Castillo by 1-3 (4-11, 7-11, 11-8, 8-11)
65th/68th Place: Tavneet Singh Mundra lost to Jose Santamaria (Colombia) by 2-3 (11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 5-11, 4-11)
49th/52nd Place: Avalokit Singh beat Oscar Okonkwo (Malaysia) by 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-6)
WSF World Junior Squash Championships 2024: Day 6 Pairings (Indians only)
49th/50th Place: Avalokit Singh vs Loan Sharpe (Wales)