Mangaonkar clinches British Junior Open title

Mumbai lad Mahesh Mangaonkar on Tuesday gave India its first British Junior Open squash title in boys category after a hiatus of four years...

Mumbai lad Mahesh Mangaonkar on Tuesday gave India its first British Junior Open (BJO) squash title in boys category after a hiatus of four years,defeating Oliver Holland of England 11-5 7-11 11-5 12-10 in the final of the under-15 category in Sheffield,United Kingdom. The last Indian male player who won the BJO title was Sourav Ghosal in under-19 category in 2004.

Delhis Kush Kumar was little unlucky not to register back-to-back titles. In the under-13 boys category,Kush,who won the Scottish title last week,produced stunning display against title favourite Amr Aboul Souad of Egypt,but squandered lead at crucial junctures to handover the match 7-11 11-7 11-9 9-11 7-11 to his fancied opponent.

However,in the under-15 final of high quality,Mangaonkar seized the initiative and took no time in pocketingthe first game. Holland,though,moved clear from the middle of the second game to level matters.

Eventually,the Indians steadier play,helped by Hollands unforced errors,was enough to see Mangaonkar take the third and fourth game and seal the match in 40 minutes.

Meanwhile,Egypt showed why they are called the powerhouse in world squash,running away with most of thetitles up for grab. In the girls under-13 final,Yathreb Adel of Egypt defeated compatriot Salma Hani 11-7 11-8 3-11 11-8,while in girls under-15 all Egyptian affair,Nour El Sherbeny beat Kanzy El Defrawy 11-6 11-6 10-12 4-11 11-4.

The under-17 girls as well as boys title also went to Egypt.

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