Islamabad, 17 April 2025: Pakistan’s junior squash players delivered a remarkable performance at the Australian Junior Open 2025, returning with four gold medals and one silver.
This achievement signals a promising future for the country’s long-celebrated squash legacy.
Leading this success story were the Ali sisters, with Mahnoor Ali and Mehwish Ali successfully defending their titles in the Under-13 and Under-17 categories, respectively.
Their younger sister, Sehrish Ali, narrowly missed out on a clean sweep after finishing runner-up in the Under-15 category.
Mahnoor and Mehwish, both top seeds in their categories, displayed maturity and consistency throughout the tournament.
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Mahnoor eased past Riyo Kawabata with scores of 11-2, 11-5, 11-6, while Mehwish defeated Eden-Alma Poulava 11-5, 11-5, 11-7 in the final.
Their dominance not only helped them retain their titles but also underscored their continued rise on the junior circuit.
Sehrish Ali, meanwhile, reached the U15 final after an impressive run but was narrowly edged out in a close five-game battle by top-seeded Emily Senior.
Despite the loss, her performance was hailed as one of the tournament’s highlights.
The boys also made their mark, with Azan Ali Khan and Ahmad Ali Naz claiming gold in the U17 and U11 categories, respectively.
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Azan outclassed Aiden Finlay-Mulligen with a commanding 11-8, 11-2, 11-4 win, showcasing a mix of strength and strategy.
Ahmad, showing great composure and court awareness for his age, overcame Freddie Goldsmith in four games, 11-5, 2-11, 6-11, 6-11.
This success arrives at a crucial moment for Pakistan squash. Once a global powerhouse, the country has struggled in senior rankings over the past two decades.
However, the performance of these young athletes offers fresh hope.
Their achievements have not only revived pride in the sport but may also lay the foundation for Pakistan’s resurgence on the international stage.
