Pakistan Shines at Australian Junior Open with Four Gold Medals in Squash
Melbourne, April 18, 2025 – Pakistan’s young squash stars made a remarkable impact at the Australian Junior Open, securing four gold medals and one silver, proudly flying the national flag high at Melbourne’s squash courts on Thursday.
Dominant Performances Across Age Groups
Mehwish Ali successfully defended her Girls U-17 title, delivering a flawless performance against Eden-Alma Poulava with a straight-set victory of 11-5, 11-5, 11-7. The top-seeded Pakistani remained undefeated throughout the tournament, not dropping a single set in any of her matches.
In the Boys U-17 category, Azan Ali Khan claimed gold after a commanding win over local contender Henry Kross, with scores of 11-6, 11-4, 11-9. Ranked No. 2 in Pakistan as of March, Khan’s performance demonstrated both skill and composure under pressure.
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Young Talent Steps Into the Spotlight
The Girls U-13 final saw 12-year-old Mahnoor Ali, Pakistan’s top-ranked player in her age group, dominate Riyo Kawabata with a confident 11-2, 11-5, 11-6 victory. Like her older sister Mehwish, Mahnoor also stayed undefeated throughout the tournament, winning all matches in straight sets.
Ahmad Ali Naz, the top-ranked Pakistani in the Boys U-11 division, brought home Pakistan’s fourth gold after a spirited 3-1 win over Freddie Goldsmith. Naz took the first set 11-5, briefly lost the second 11-2, but rebounded strongly to win the next two sets 11-6, 11-6, showcasing resilience and determination.
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Silver Medal Effort in a Nail-Biting Final
In the Girls U-15 final, Sehrish Ali, another rising star from Pakistan, earned a well-fought silver medal. Facing Japan’s top seed Emily Senior, Sehrish pushed the match to five games. The Japanese player took the first set 15-13, while Sehrish came back strong to win the second 11-5. The back-and-forth continued with Senior taking the third 12-10, Sehrish the fourth 11-6, and the final set going to Senior 11-4.
The Ali sisters—Mehwish, Mahnoor, and Sehrish—have emerged as a powerful trio in junior squash, with two golds and a silver between them at this tournament.
Recent Success on the World Stage
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Noor Zaman added to the country’s squash achievements by winning the U23 World Squash Championship in Karachi. Zaman staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Egypt’s Karim El Torkey in a closely contested 3-2 victory.
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Pakistan’s junior squash players are continuing to make waves internationally, with rising talent, disciplined coaching, and strong performances reaffirming the country’s legacy in the sport.
