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PLAYERS from Penang gave a creditable performance in the 20th PBA Penang (Malaysia) Junior Open at the Nicol David International Squash Centre recently.
Yek Rui Jean (Girls Under-15) and Nickhileswar Moganasundharam (Boys Under-19) made it to the finals of their respective categories but just missed out on the title.
Five other Penangites joined them in the Top 8 of their categories.
Kim Kun of South Korea claimed the Boys’ Under-19 title while Whitney Isabelle Anak Wilson from the national setup at Bukit Jalil bagged the Girls’ Under-19 title.
The event was also graced by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
Datuk Linda Geh, the president of the Squash Racquets Association of Penang (SRAP), said the Penang Junior Open has been a great platform for young players to be exposed to high-level competition for the past two decades.
She noted that the Asian Squash Federation (ASF) awarded the event platinum status on the Asian Junior Super Series where all participants earned Asian Junior rankings points, while the Professional Squash Association (PSA) awarded rankings points for top players in Under 17 and 19.
A total prize money of RM10,000 was given to the top four finishers in the Under 17 and Under 19 age groups.
In addition, Dunlop provided 10 squash rackets, racket bags, backpacks, and 10 dozen squash balls as an official product sponsor.
Geh expressed her gratitude to all sponsors, agencies, coaches, team managers, and families of the participants for being a part of SRAP’s milestone event. She acknowledged the support provided by the Penang State Sports Council and the Penang Island City Council.
The tournament, divided into five categories – U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19 for both boys and girls – boasted 675 participants from different parts of the world.
The top 8 players:
Boys Under-19: 1. Kim Kun (Kor), 2. Nickhileswar Moganasundharam (Pg), 3. Tay Jun Qian (Sel), 4. Wong Wing Kuen (Hkg), 5. Hashvind Kugan (FT), 6. Mak Tsun Hei (Hkg), 7. Tam Tsz Shing (Hkg), 8. Kreethi Pillay Muniswaran (SRAM).
Boys Under-17: 1. Renshi Makino (Jpn), 2. Aqil Mirza Naim Kahiril Fariz (SRAM), 3. Lee Jong Hyeok (Kor), 4. Ivan Chang Jia Yu (Pg), 5. Altamis Aqhar A. Suffian (SRAM), 6. Khailash Ravi Kumar (FT), 7. Erwin Kros Christopher (Sel), 8. Purav Rambhia (Ind).
Boys Under-15: 1. Raziq Putra Mohd Fakhrur Razi (SRAM), 2. Sim Yeak Wei (Kdh), Muhd Haiqal Hazim Syarudin (Kdh), 4. Toma Ikeda (Jpn), 5. Jayden Louis (NS), 6. Syed Ayden Malique Al-Shahab Syed Syahman, 7. Ong Hung Yu (Swak), 8. Toby Huang Shao Yang (Swk).
Boys Under-13: 1. Liu Yuanxi (Chn), 2. Julius Tan Li Hao (Sel), 3. Muhammad Ifwat Zulkifli, 4 Kayvern Arthur (Pg), 5. Vidhurran Ruthiran (Pg), 6. Jackrish Kumar Sashikumar (Sin), 7. Shayan Samtani (Sin), 8. Hisshan Nair Tan (NS).
Boys Under-11: 1. Nik Izz Dameer Aizal (Kel), 2. Mior E-FA Yedh Mior Ahmad Nazril (FT), 3. Lukesh Chandasekaran (Pg), 4. Yiu Cheuk Hei (Hkg), 5. Muhammad Sharhan Mod Saiful (Png), 6. Thorqiq Yusuf Mohammad, 7. Ong Hung Nong (Swk), 8. Muhammad Rizzq Amzar Mohd Shahril (Trg).
Girls Under-19: 1. Whitney Isabelle Anak Wilson (SRAM), 2. Anrie Goh (SRAM), 3. Goh Zhi Xuan (SRAM), 4. Leung Ka Huen (Hkg), 5. Au Ling Yu (Hkg), 6. Iris Chieng Shiao Yu (Swk), 7. Lee Zi Fang (Sin), 8. Darsyanaa Ravintharan (Sel).
Girls Under-17: 1. Cheung Tsz Ching (Hkg), 2. Helen Tang (Hkg), 3. Najwa Zara Mohd Fakhrur Razi (SRAM), 4. Nurul Nisa Nasuha Mohd Nazir (SRAM), 5. Puteri Rania Zahirah Mior Ahmad (SRAM), 6. Mehwish Ali (Pak), 7. Dayana Qistina Anuar (SRAM), 8. Dakshayani Thangaraja (FT).
Girls Under-15: 1. Harleein Tan (NS), 2. Yek Rui Jean (Pg), 3. Jinoreeka Ning Manivannan (Prk), 4. Chloe Lo Pui Yin (Hkg), 5. Ooi Wen Min (SRAM), 6. Niea Chew (Sel), 7. Yoga Varuna Yvie Subramaniam (Prk), 8. Jayna Lim (Sin).
Girls Under-13: 1. Mahnoor Ali (Pak), 2. Sehrish Ali (Pak), 3. Yin Ziyuan (Chn), 4. Maisarah Mohd Khairul Nizam (Trg), 5. Tang Ching Sum (Hkg), 6. Chooi Yi Xin (Kdh), 7. Jacintha Han (Sin), 8. Yang Si Han (Hkg).
Girls Under-11: 1. Kareena Sashikumar (Sin), 2. Nuie Chew (Sel), 3. Hana Syafreen Mohd Fazly (Phg), 4. Rio Yoshino (Jpn), 5. Junivar Bala Keerti Pradhaa (FT), 6. Sanjeevana Kumaresan (Pg), 7. Aradhana Singh (Ind), 8. Rhea Renise Balasingan (NS).
Pix courtesy of Squash Racquets Association of Penang