Blooming Aifa unfazed with new challenge on British soil

Aifa (right) will have to overcome a greater challenge in the Under-15 category in the British Junior Open in Sheffield.

PETALING JAYA: Aifa Azman is unfazed by the prospect of playing in the girls’ Under-15 category in the British Junior Open squash championships, which begin on Friday in Sheffield, England.

Aifa, who turned 13 last month, won the Under-13 title in January last year but has moved up to a higher category this time.

“Winning the Under-13 title last year was just the start. It will be a lot tougher this year because I’ve moved up an age-group,” said Aifa, who won the Asian Junior Under-13 title and Malaysian Junior Open Under-15 crown last year.

Aifa is seeded joint fifth-eighth and has a first-round bye. She will face homester Eve Perrin in the second round today.

For Aifa, she is feeling right at home despite the cold weather as her two sisters – 17-year-old Aika and 10-year-old Aira – are also competing in the championships.

Aika is playing in the Under-19 event while Aira will compete in the Under-13 category.

“It’s nice to have all my sisters around here. Aika and I played here last year. Aira is playing in the championships for the first time,” said Aifa.

Besides Aifa, the other Malaysians competing in the girls’ Under-15 division are Ma Si Yi, Chan Yiwen, Nur Aliah Izzati and Lai Wen Li.