KARACHI, April 6, 2025 – The sun rose bright over Karachi, welcoming young squash talents from across the world as the WSF Under-23 World Championships 2025 kicked off at the prestigious Defence Creek Club. A city known for its rich squash legacy, Karachi set the perfect tone for what promises to be a gripping international showdown.
With $600,000 USD up for grabs and direct qualification to the PSA World Championships on the line, day one was packed with high-stakes intensity and fierce matchups. The venue buzzed with energy as players warmed up, national flags waved, and spectators filled the stands.
Among the standout matches, Pakistan's Mohammad Ammad delivered a valiant five-game thriller against Malaysia’s top-seeded A. Chandaran. Ammad stormed into the lead by winning the first game 12-10, leaving the world No. 89 momentarily stunned. Chandaran, however, rallied back with an 11-7 win in the second. The third game saw Ammad push ahead again with a powerful 11-9 finish. Unfortunately, fatigue and a few unforced errors crept into his game in the final two sets, allowing the Malaysian to claw back and seal the win: 10-12, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8.
Pakistan still had reasons to celebrate, with home favorites Hamza Khan and Noor Zaman advancing convincingly. Hamza overpowered Romania’s Radu Stefan Pena 3-0 in a commanding display (11-3, 11-1, 11-5), while Noor defeated Kuwait’s Hussain Alzaatari 3-1 (11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 11-3).
Other top seeds from Egypt, France, Hong Kong, and Spain also asserted dominance in their opening fixtures, though the depth of competition suggested that upsets could be just around the corner.
Day 1 Results – Men’s Draw:
- Ibrahim Alkabbani (Egypt) bt Leon Krysik (Poland) 3-1 — 11-2, 9-11, 12-10, 11-2
- Matteo Carrouget (France) bt Makar Esin (Neutral) 3-0 — 11-6, 11-5, 11-4
- Duncan Lee (Malaysia) bt Kareem Michael (Canada) 3-1 — 3-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7
- R. Damming (Netherlands) bt Kijan Sultana (Malta) 3-0 — 11-2, 11-6, 11-8
- David Bernet (Switzerland) bt Yuta Adno (Japan) 3-0 — 11-2, 11-8, 11-7
- Hugo Lafuente Jaen (Spain) bt Kajetn Lipski (Poland) 3-1 — 11-6, 13-11, 4-11, 11-1
- Lap Au (Hong Kong) bt Reuel Videler (South Africa) 3-1 — 11-2, 11-9, 11-2
- K. El Torkey (Egypt) bt Hao Cui (USA) 3-0 — 11-1, 11-6, 11-5
- A. Chandaran (Malaysia) bt Muhammad Ammad (Pakistan) 3-2 — 10-12, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8
- Mattew Lam (Hong Kong) bt Pouya Shafiefard (Iran) 3-2 — 10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 8-11, 11-3
- Will Salter (England) bt Jerome Aw (Singapore) 3-1 — 11-9, 11-3, 8-11, 11-4
- M. Hamza Khan (Pakistan) bt Radu Stefan Pena (Romania) 3-0 — 11-3, 11-1, 11-5
- M. Scianimanico (France) bt Nevindo Lakman (Sri Lanka) 3-1 — 11-9, 11-3, 12-14, 11-2
- D. Groenewald Ernesto (South Africa) bt Revrt Escutia (Spain) 3-1 — 11-9, 11-5, 11-1, 11-8
- Jakub Pytlowany (Poland) bt Juan Joce (Colombia) Walkover
- Noor Zaman (Pakistan) bt Hussain Alzaatari (Kuwait) 3-1 — 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 11-3
Day 1 Results – Women’s Draw:
- Noa Romero Blazquez (Spain) bt Mariam Malik (Pakistan) 3-0 — 11-3, 11-2, 11-4
- Kurumi Takahashi (Japan) bt Amana Fayyaz (Pakistan) 3-1 — 11-9, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9
- S. Ingledew (South Africa) bt Yeheni Kuruppu (Sri Lanka) 3-0 — 11-7, 11-6, 11-3
- T. Holzdauerova (Czech Republic) bt Sana Bahdur (Pakistan) 3-1 — 13-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8
- Icia Riveiro (Spain) bt Ana Munos (France) 3-1 — 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 11-3
- Tereza Siroka (Czech Republic) bt Varvara Esina (Neutral) Walkover
With elite squash returning to Karachi in full glory, all eyes are now on the next rounds as the world’s rising stars fight for glory, rankings, and a chance to leave their mark on the global stage.
Photo by Muhammad Sulaiman Khan
