PETALING JAYA: Egypt’s bid to capture squash’s first ever-Olympic gold received a major boost after teenage sensation Amina Orfi (pic)etched her name in history by becoming the youngest world champion.
At just 18 years and 10 months, she put on a mature performance to take down eight-time world champion and compatriot Nour ElSherbini 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 14-12 in a thrilling 106-minute clash at the Palm Hills Sports Club in Giza.
It was the second-longest women’s world championship match, only behind Rhonda Thorne and Vicki Hoffman’s 118-minute clash in 1981.
With the win, Amina became the first female player to hold both the world junior and senior titles at the same time.
Amina also eclipsed the record previously held by Nour, who won her first world championship title at the age of 20 years and five months.
Third seed Amina made her way into the final after stunning world No. 1 Hania El Hammamy 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 11-9 in a 103-minute encounter in the semi-final.
“I’m speechless. I worked so hard to get here,” said Amina, who captured her 12th PSA title.
“This will add so much to my confidence. I had so many tough losses this season. Up until this tournament, I was satisfied with what I had done, but I knew I could do better.
“I knew there was going to be pressure on both of them (Hania and Nour), but I had the least pressure and I went for it.”
Meanwhile, it was also an all-Egyptian battle for the men’s title, but world No. 1 Mostafa Asal successfully retained his title after defeating seventh seed Youssef Ibrahim with a commanding 11-4, 11-1, 12-10 win.
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