Nevindu loses to India’s Aryan

In a gripping battle for the 71st rank in the WSF World Junior Squash Championship, Sri Lanka’s young squash sensation, Nevindu Lakman, faced a tough challenge against India’s Aryan Pratap Singh in a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The intense contest concluded at the Melbourne Sports Centres yesterday, with Singh emerging victorious with a 3-1 scoreline.

Lakman, known as Asia’s number three ranked junior squash player, was stunned by the Indian’s tenacity and skill, as the scoreline reflected an intriguing mix of close sets. The final score stood at 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, and 13-11 in favor of Singh, leaving Lakman disappointed but determined to continue improving his game.

The defeat led to a slight drop in Lakman’s world junior squash rankings, as he concluded the Individual Championship at the 72nd position. Nevertheless, his remarkable performance throughout the tournament showcased his immense potential and marked him as one of the rising stars in the sport.

As the sole representative of Sri Lanka at the championship, Lakman had the nation’s hopes resting on his shoulders. In an impressive start, he trounced his Indian opponent in the opening set with a score of 11-7, displaying his prowess on the court. However, Singh quickly turned the tide, winning the next three sets consecutively, ending Lakman’s spirited fight in a total of five games, with two wins and three losses.

Meanwhile, on a thrilling finals day at the 2023 WSF World Junior Individual Squash Championships, Hamza Khan made history by becoming Pakistan’s first WSF World Junior Squash champion since Jansher Khan’s victory in 1986. Additionally, Egyptian prodigy, 16-year-old Amina Orfi, successfully defended her title from 2022, adding another feather to her cap.