Promising Haneesha bags her first international junior crown

Proud moment: Haneesha Veerakumar posing with the trophy and certificate after winning the girls’ Under-19 title in the Henri Charpentier Lion City Junior Open in Singapore yesterday.

PETALING JAYA: Promising squash talent Haneesha Veerakumar claimed the girls’ Under-19 title in the Henri Charpentier Lion City Junior Open in Singapore yesterday.

Haneesha defeated fellow Malaysian Puteri Rania Zahirah 11-5, 11-5, 11-5 in the final.

Haneesha found her form at the right time, reaching the final after toppling top seed Ayesha Rania Syed Humaiyun Kebir 13-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7.

She had a first-round bye and reached the last eight after overcoming third-fourth seeded Vicky Lai of Singapore 11-7, 11-8, 11-4.

In the quarter-finals, Haneesha beat teammate Abhitha Shanraj Shanmuganathan 11-4, 11-5, 11-6.

Haneesha was delighted to win her first international title at junior level.

“I’m truly grateful to have won the title and would like to thank everyone who supported me along the way,” said Haneesha, who plans to stay focused on improving her game. “I want to continue to train hard and I’m looking forward to taking on the next challenge.”