Sports Reporter/Doha
Egypt once again asserted their supremacy in junior squash by winning the WSF Men’s World Junior Championships yesterday at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.A few days after Marwan El Shorbagy and Nour El Sherbini pocketed the individual men’s and women’s world titles, the Egyptian men’s team defeated Pakistan in the final 2-0 to live up to their top billing.India clinched the third spot by beating England 2-0, their best finish in the tournament’s history. Twenty-two teams took part in the event, which eventually saw Pakistan and Egypt clash for the prestigious title for the fifth time in a row.Egypt’s Mazen Hesham met Syed Ali Mujtaba Bukhari in the first match that saw both players exhibit their wide array of shots.Bukhari, who was flown from Pakistan after Danish Atlas Khan was injured, showed no signs of lack of acclimatisation as he took the first game in convincing fashion, winning 11-7.More a touch player, Bukhari tested the seasoned Egyptian with guile and deception. Some of his risky shots, especially the delicate low hits paid off well for the Pakistani as he maintained his lead, eventually pocketing the first game 11-7.But a player of Hesham’s class could not be kept down for long and he hit back with determination. Egged on by the Egyptian contingent and a handful of fans, he ensured there were no further scares for him and his team by winning the next three games in succession to seal the match.In the second match individual world champion Marwan El Shorbagy showed his class by beating Nasir Iqbal 3-0, although the games were keenly contested“This is our second title in a row, both the players today played really well, Mazen did a solid match, and Marwan played a perfect match,” said coach Amir Wagih.“Those two tournament titles, both individuals and team event, are very important for Egypt. The two weeks have been long, the team has done a fantastic job, well done to them.“We promised we would come back to our country with the cups, and that’s what we are doing. I’m so proud of my team”El Shorbagy was equally ecstatic.“I’m so happy Egypt has won the title again, and as for myself, winning this title again, with a different team, is such an honour. We’ve been working hard to be able to have such a result, and it’s a small gift we are making for our country,” said the Egyptian.“Today, I played my best squash at last, I must have relaxed a bit, and when you are representing and playing for your country, it’s a completely different thing. I’m so happy we get to keep this title in Egypt, and so proud I was able to win two individual titles too.“This marks the end of my junior career. Now it’s time to focus on my senior career, I’m ranked 29, and my goal is to reach 20 by the end of the year.”Results:Final: Egypt bt Pakistan 2-0Mazen Hesham 3-1 Syed Ali Mujtaba Bukhari 7/11, 11/8, 11/5, 11/6 (42m)Marwan El Shorbagy 3-0 Nasir Iqbal 11/9, 11/7, 11/6 (38m)3rd/4th placing: India bt England 2-0Kush Kumar 3-0 Richie Fallows 11/8, 11/8, 9/11, 13/11 (46m)Mahesh Mangaonkar 3-1 Ollie Holland 6/11, 11/0, 11/6, 11/7 (54m Champions Egypt (centre) pose with their trophy flanked by runners-up Pakistan (L) and third-placed India after the conclusion of the WSF World Junior Squash Championships yesterday