PETALING JAYA: National junior squash player Erwin Kros Christopher’s new style of play gave him the edge to successfully clinch the Southeast Asia Junior individual title in the Philippines on June 14 (Sunday).
The 17-year-old punched above his weight when he defeated home player Inigo Jordan 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 to win the boys’ Under-19 category in 31 minutes at the National Squash Centre in Manila.
It was Erwin’s third victory this year after winning the Sri Lanka Junior Open in February and the Tashkent PSA Satellite in Uzbekistan last month.
Erwin said working with national coaching director Andrew Cross had helped him to become a champion again after winning the Under-17 category in 2024.
"The new gameplay technique I recently adopted has proven effective in delivering improved finishing outcomes," said Erwin.
"I am thankful for the constant communication with coach Andrew on planning and preparing me for each game."
Meanwhile, Whitney Isabelle Wilson defeated compatriot Puteri Rania Zahirah Mior Ahmad Nazril in just 16 minutes after pulling off a 11-3, 11-5, 11-3 win in the girls’ Under-19 final.
The 18-year-old made up for her second-place finish at the Asian Junior Championships in China last month.
Iman Dylan Saadan and Siti Aleeya Shahar also made it a grand day for Malaysia by winning the boys’ and girls’ Under-11 categories respectively.
Ten-year-old Iman needed just 11 minutes to beat Singapore’s Mason Han 11-3, 11-2, 11-4, while Aleeya defeated compatriot Anwen Chong 11-2, 11-3, 11-1 in 15 minutes.
FINAL RESULTS
Boys
Under-11: Iman Dylan Saadan (Mas) bt Mason Han (Sin) 11-3, 11-2, 11-4.
Under-13: Kaelen Evan Low (Sin) bt Mior El-Fayedh Mior Ahmad Nazril (Mas) 11-6, 7-11, 11-4, 11-9.
Under-15: Jackrish Kumar Sashikumar (Sin) bt Wayne Isaac Wilson (Mas) 11-9, 11-8, 11-3.
Under-17: Rehaan Singh (Sin) bt Ong Zhe Hon (Sin) 11-5, 11-2, 11-4.
Under-19: Erwin Kros Christopher (Mas) bt Inigo Jordan (Phi) 11-4, 11-4, 11-7.
Girls
Under-11: Siti Aleeya Shahar (Mas) bt Anwen Chong (Mas) 11-2, 11-3, 11-1.
Under-13: Kareena Sashikumar (Sin) bt Lyra Kate Trasmil (Phi) 11-9, 11-6, 11-4.
Under-15: Jacintha Han (Sin) bt Tungku Nurina Dayana Tungku Saripol Badrul (Mas) 11-5, 11-9, 11-9.
Under-17: Naisha Singh (Sin) bt Emelda Camalia (Mas) 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9.
Under-19: Whitney Isabelle Wilson (Mas) bt Puteri Rania Zahirah Mior Ahmad Nazril (Mas) 11-3, 11-5, 11-3.
