John Phang and Sarah Lewis were among the under 13 winners on night one of the Guyana Squash Association’s (GSA) Woodpecker Junior National Squash Championships which began last night at the Georgetown Club’s squash courts.
Phang defeated Zachary Persaud in straight sets 11/3, 11/4, and 11/3 while Lewis defeated Maya Collins 11/6, 11/3 and 11/7 in their first round robin matches. Nine-year-old Phang won category F of the Kool Aid Junior Easter tournament which was held in March, competing against many of the same opponents that he will face during this year’s nationals. In his next encounter tonight, Phang will challenge Gianni Carpenter, who did not compete in that skill level tournament two months ago.
Eleven-year old Lewis, placed third to Phang in that tournament, but was the first female finisher. With the experience under her belt as well as guidance from former Junior Sportswoman of the Year and two-time Caribbean junior champion Ashley Khalil, Lewis is confident that she will be able to capture her first national title. Khalil is one of the many junior national players that completed the level two coach course earlier this year.
“I think my chances (at winning the under 13 title) are really good; I push myself harder this time and now that I’m training with Ashley [Khalil] I think I’m more focused”, Lewis said.
The first form Marian Academy student confessed that she thinks her main opponent will be Rebecca Low. Low, who is one of the top contenders in this category since defending champion Lydia Alphonso has now stepped up to the under 15 category, will play Makeda Harding in her first match tonight.
The Islam twins, Daniel and Anthony, also wrapped up two dominant victories on night one. Daniel, who was the runner up in the Kool Aid Junior Easter tournament, disposed of Dominic Collins 11/2, 11/3 and 11/3, while Anthony got pass Lucas Jonas 12/10, 11/8, and 11/6. Matches in the older categories will also commence tonight including the eagerly anticipated battle between Joven Benn and Steven Xavier in the Under 19 category and former Caribbean Under 15 champion Mary Fung-A-Fat versus current Caribbean Under 15 champion Akeila Wiltshire.
Yesterday’s Results
Under 13 category
Phang defeated Zachary Persaud in 11/3, 11/4, and 11/3
Daniel Islam defeated Dominic Collins 11/2, 11/3 and 11/3
Anthony Islam defeated Lucas Jonas 12/10, 11/8, and 11/6
Anthony Islam defeated Gianni Carpenter 11/6, 13/11, 11/5
Lewis defeated Maya Collins 11/6, 11/3 and 11/7
Makeda Harding defeated Savannah Mendes 11/0, 11/4, 11/4
Under 17
Pablio Mundini defeated Mahendra Khusial 11/3, 11/4, 12/10
