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Six nations shared the squash medals in the sport’s maiden appearance in the Asian Youth Games at the Nanjing OSC Squash Hall in Nanjing, China.
Malaysia emerged as the best performing team with three gold, one silver and one bronze, with India claiming one of each medal, and Hong Kong China boasting two silver and three bronze. In addition, Sri Lanka, Japan and Jordan came away with bronze medals.
India and Malaysia struck gold in the individual championships after successes by the top seeds – Kush Kumar (IND) beating Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS) in the men’s final and Vanessa Raj (MAS) overcoming Pansy Chan (HKG) in the women’s.
Again the favourites triumphed in the women’s team final when Malaysia beat second seeds Hong Kong China 2/0.
But there was a dramatic upset in the men’s team final when second seeds Malaysia recovered from losing the first match to beat India 2/1 – the Malaysian hero being Mohd Syafiq Kamal who avenged his earlier defeat individual gold medal defeat by beating Indian Kush Kumar 11-4, 7-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-6 in a tense 55-minutes encounter.
Women’s presentation
“Squash was delighted to be part of the 2nd Asian Youth Games which have been so very well hosted in Nanjing, China,” said World Squash Federation President N Ramachandran. “I am sure all present will have been enthralled with the staging of the squash on the all-glass court and deeply impressed by seeing so much very bright talent on display from many parts of Asia.
“I hope that this will lead to even further expansion of our Squash tour events in China, a very important market indeed for the spread of our great game.”
RESULTS:
Men’s Final:[1] Kush Kumar (IND) bt [2] Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS) 11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7 (57m)Bronze medallists: Ng Eain Yow (MAS) & Yuen Tsun-Hei (HKG)
Women’s Final:[1] Vanessa Raj (MAS) bt [2] Pansy Chan (HKG) 11-3, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9 (52m)Bronze medallists: Mihiliya Methsarani (SRI) & Choi Uen Shan (HKG)
Men’s Team Final:[2] MALAYSIA bt [1] INDIA 2/1Ng Eain Yow lost to Vijay Meena Kumar 11-5, 11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 5-11 (64m)Mohd Syafiq Kamal bt Kush Kumar 11-4, 7-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-6 (55m)Darren Chan bt Madhav Dhingra 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 11-1 (37m)Bronze medallists: HONG KONG CHINA & JORDAN
Women’s Team Final:[1] MALAYSIA bt [2] HONG KONG CHINA 2/0Rachel Arnold bt Choi Uen Shan 5-11, 11-7, 13-11, 12-10 (49m)Vanessa Raj bt Pansy Chan 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-3 (78m)Bronze medallists: INDIA & JAPAN
