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Asian Junior Individual Championships 2008
Busan, Korea, 26-29 June
Photos by Cyrus Poncha |
Titles shared in Busan
Maj. Maniam reports
The 2nd Asian junior Individual Championship came to a successful
end today, freeing the players and officials to watch the finals of
the Euro Cup later tonight.
As I predicted yesterday, all the top seeds of the four events
justified their seedings. The four gold medals went four different
ways. The Under19 boys to Hong Kong, Under 19 girls to Malaysia ,
Under 15 boys to Pakistan and Under 15 girls to India
The day started with India’s Anaka Alankamony the top seed in
the under 15 girls event taking on 3-4 seed Ho Ka Po of Hong
Kong. Ho started of very well leading 6-1 in the first game. Anaka
using her aggression and power play leveled and eventually took the
first game. The second was similar with Ho leading 6-1 again, Anaka
caught up and prevailed yet again. The third was fairly easy as
Anaka romped home to a 3-0 victory. Thus Anaka ensured that the
Under 15 girls’ trophy which was won by Dipika Pallikal two years
ago in Singapore remained with India.
Similarly in the under 15 boys event top seed Nasir Iqbal
swept aside the challenge from India’s Mahesh Mangaonkar to
ensure the title remained in Pakistan. Danish Atlas won it the last
time. Nasir made very few errors and was extremely quick around the
court. The lanky Mahesh gave it his best but struggled with the
speed and accuracy of Nasir. An easy 3-0 victory for Nasir.
Defending champion Low Wee Wern took on last time’s under 15
champion India’s Dipika Pallikal. The match started off with
both players playing an aggressive brand of squash. As a matter of
fact this style of play lasted throughout the match. However the
difference was that Dipika made too many unforced errors whilst Low
played some awesome lengths. Low the only one to defend her title
won 3-0.
The final match of the day was the under 19 boys event, between the
top seed Leo Au of Hong Kong and the No.2 seed Ivan Yuen
of Malaysia. In the previous event two years ago, Leo lost to his
team mate Max Lee and ended up with the silver, whilst Ivan was
third. Todays match was a thoroughly entertaining one with brilliant
rallies and amazing retrieving skills displayed by both players.
Ivan had an apprehensive start to the first game and allowed Leo to
dominate. Leo nailed the first rather easily. The second was a
different story. Ivan had found his footing and was putting away
some delightful finishing shots in the front. Leo hung in
determinedly; but to no avail as Ivan clinched the second. The third
was a nail biter. Both players exchanged points all the way to the
end. Towards the tail end Leo made a couple of unforced errors
whilst Ivan remained steady to clinch the third. The fourth was
again a close one with Leo winning it and the fifth swung Leo’s way
as Ivan started showing signs of weariness. Leo maintained his cool
to win the 5th and collect the title which eluded him two years ago.
So all the titles went back to the same countries that won it the
last time. The prize presentation took place at the courts as ASF
officers, the Busan mayor and squash officials gave away the prizes.
Later in the evening the closing ceremony that took place at the
official hotel was a resounding success. There were speeches,
exchange of souvenirs, a tae-kwon-do demonstration and some
brilliant performances by the participating teams. Japanese players
put up a samurai style show and walked away with the first prize of
USD300 whilst Singapore took home USD200 for a fusion dance. Vice
President Kim Won Kwan gave away the cash prizes.
All in all the event went off without a hitch and full marks to the
Korean Squash Federation.
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Photos by Cyrus Poncha
FULL DRAWS
& RESULTS
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Anaka
Indian update from Cyrus Poncha
 A
terrific performance by Anaka Alankamony ensures a gold medal
for India here at the 2nd Asian Junior Individual Squash
Championships here in Busan, Korea. Down 1-6 in both the first 2
games Anaka had to claw her way back in both to win, hitting some
brilliant hard drives and delicate drops. Anaka was made to move to
all corners by Ho Ka Po from Hong Kong but prevailed in the
third game after leading 5-1 to win the girls under 15 title 9-6,
9-6, 9-5. This is Anaka's 8th international title. Anaka was
delighted after her victory and wanted to thank all the people who
have supported her.
She said, "I want to especially
thank Mr. Ramachandran and Mr. Srivatsan from the federation, my
coaches - Major Sir, Cyrus Sir, Bala Sir and Hariom Sir, my dad and
mum, my grandmother - Sawrnammal, my school - Church Park Sacred
Heart and my racket sponsor - Mr. Altaf from Black Knight."
In the final of the boys under 15, Mahesh Mangaonkar had an
uphill task against top seeded Nasir Iqbal from Pakistan who
gave him very little chance going down in straight game. Nasir
exhibited his a fine display of speed along with aggression to win
4-9, 4-9, 3-9.
Second seeded Dipika Pallikal had no answer to the
consistency of top seed Low Wee Wern from Malaysia who
retains her 2006 title 1-9, 6-9, 0-9.
Although we were unable to win 2 titles, the 4 titles were shared
one a piece by Hong Kong, Malaysia, Pakistan and India, overall it
has been a great event.
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Day Three in Busan
Maj. S Maniam reports
The top seeds moved into the finals as expected on the penultimate
day of the Asian Junior individual championships. In the under 15
girls event Anaka Alankamony the top seed from India cruised to the
finals eliminating compatriot Sachika Balwani in straight games.
Anaka who has never lost to Sachika, had no problems overcoming her
opponent yet again. 3-4 seed Ho Ka Poh of Hong Kong beat her
compatriot Lee Ka Yi in a fairly one sided affair. In the under 15
boys No1 seed Nasir Iqbal from Pakistan and Mahesh Mangaonkar of
India set up a date for tomorrow. Nasir easily overcame Yip Tsz Fung
the 3-4 seed from Hong Kong and Mahesh beat Malaysian 3-4 seed
Mohammad Bahtiar.
In the under 19 girls event top seed Low Wee Wern had no problems
with Penang based and training partner Japanese Misaki Kobayashi in
straight games. No 2 seed Dipika Pallikal from India dropped a game
before beating a determined Korean Song Sun Mi who yesterday had
upset the 3-4 seed Low Wee Nee the younger sister of the top seed
Low Wee Wern.
The stylish Indian player Vikram Malhotra who the day before had
upset Kamran Khan of Malaysia ran out of ideas as he succumbed to
the steady onslaught of the top seed from Hong Kong Leo Au.
Looking at the form book all the top seeds appear to be fully
charged and ready to walk away with their respective titles.
The entire ASF officers were there to cheer the players on. The
finals start at 1030a.m. at the Kyungsung University tomorrow.
Day Two in Busan
Maj. S Maniam reports
Day two of the Asian Junior Individual event saw three upsets in the
four events played. In the girls under 15 event 5/8 seed Lee Ka
Yi of Hong Kong overcame Indian lass Aparajitha 3-1. Aparajitha
gave it her best but Lee Ka Yi was simply too quick for her.
In the under 19 girls event local hero Song Sun Mi the 5/8
seed backed by vociferous support beat upset the nippy ¾ seed Low
Wee Nee of Malaysia. Song played a steady game with less errors to
prevail. In the under 19 boys event flamboyant Vikram Malhotra
the 5-8 seed from India beat the favourite 3-4 seed Malaysian
Kamran Khan in straight sets. It was Vikram’s awesome shot making
abilities that made the difference.
All the remaining seeds cruised through to the semi-finals. The
President and his three VP’s will be there to witness the semi
finals tomorrow.
The three referee system will be used starting tomorrow. Tournament
referee Munir Shah put the local referees through a crash
course to ensure they fully understood this fairly new concept.
Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Korea and Japan have all
interests in the semi finals tomorrow.
Under way in Busan
Maj. S Maniam reports
The 2nd Asian Junior Individual (AJI) Championship commenced today
at two local university sports complex in Busan Korea. The boys and
girls under 19 events are being held at the Kyungsung University
and the boys and girls under 15 events are being held at the
Dong Eui University. There are three glass back courts at both
venues.
The Asian Squash Federation organised the inaugural biennial
championship in Singapore two years ago. This event which caters for
juniors who are born in ‘odd years’ and who would miss out on an
opportunity to excel in the biennial Asian junior championship, was
well received by the Asian squash fraternity. In fact ASF proposed
the same format for the WSF world junior championships and were
pleased when it was accepted. We now look forward to the inaugural
world junior individual championships next year.
12 countries are participating in the 2nd AJI which is being hosted
by the Korean Squash Federation. Tournament Director Kim Won Kwan
and his able assistants Choy In Soo and Choi Yong Chul
have gone out of their way to ensure a top class event.
The results on day one, where the first and second rounds were
played, to a large extent went as predicted. The top seeds in the
four categories are shared equally by Hong Kong (Leo Au -
Under 19 Boys), Malaysia (Low Wee Wern – Under 19 girls),
Pakistan (Nasir Iqbal – Under 15 boys) and India (Anaka
Alankamony – Under 15 girls). All four of them cruised into the
third round.
However 5-8 seed Shamlam A.Ali of Kuwait was beaten 3-0 by Nelson
Chan of Hong Kong who goes on to play his team mate and No.1
seed Leo Au. A similar fate befell another Kuwaiti in the under 15
boys event where Hassan A.Karam lost to Abdullah Mohd Ali Tamim
of Qatar 3-1. Meanwhile local lass Choi You Rai, a 5-8 seed
succumbed to food poisoning and conceded a walkover to Nandini
Udangawa of Sri Lanka who now meets 3-4 seed Sachika Balwani of
India.
Off the courts it was nice to see squash legend Geoff Hunt
amongst the officials. He is here as the coach of the Qatar players
from the Aspire Academy.
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FULL DRAWS
& RESULTS
Indian Update
from Cyrus Poncha
India's no. 1 junior, Vikram Malhotra seeded 5/8 upset Malaysian
Kamran Khan in straight games to reach the semi final stage at the
2nd Asian Junior Individual Championships here in Busan, Korea.
Disciplined drives to the back along with some creative shot play
saw Vikram unnerve his higher ranked opponent. Vikram plays top
seeded Leo Au from Hong Kong tomorrow.
Ravi Dixit was unable to go through to the semis finals as he was
stopped by a very steady and clinical Ivan Yuen, the second seed
from Malaysia.
Hearts fluttered as second seeded Dipika Pallikal needed 5 games to
defeat Lui Tsz Ling from Hong Kong. Dipika played aggressively
through out and always looked in control but Lui hung on retrieving
all that was thrown at her. It was in the decisive 5 set at 4-4
Dipika broke away with a series of winners. Dipika plays home
favourite Song Sun-Mi tomorrow. Anwesha was not able to go one step
better going down to 3/4 seed Misaki Kobayashi from Japan in four
games.
In the girls under 15 category, top seeded Anaka Alankamony will
play against 3/4 seed Sachika Balvani after winning their
quarterfinals in straight games. However in the bottom half both
Indians Aparajitha Balamurukan and Saumya Karki lost in 4 sets to Ka
Yi Lee and Ho Ka Po both from Hong Kong.
Mahesh Mangaonkar seeded 2 defeated Darren Subramaniam from Malaysia
in 4 sets while Abhishek Pradhan lost to Yip Tsz Fung from Hong Kong
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Indians head for Korea
The Indian contingent departs on
Tuesday June 24, 2008 to participate in the 2nd Asian Junior
Individual Squash Championship to be held in Busan, Korea from 26-29
June 2008. The players have been selected on the basis of the
selection trials and performance in national / international
tournaments.
Anaka Alankamony has been given top billing in the girls
under 15 category due to her success at the international level.
Aparajitha also from Chennai has been seeded second by the Asian
Squash Federation (ASF) seeding panel due to her victories at the
Malaysian Junior Open and Penang Junior open last month.
The Indian contingent is also confident of winning a second title by
way of Dipika Pallikal in the girls under 19. Dipika is
seeded second in the event behind Low Wee Wern from Malaysia.
Mahesh Mangaonkar is also 2nd seeded in the boys under 15 category
behind Nasir Iqbal from Pakistan. In the boys under 19, India’s top
seed is slotted in 5/8 position.
The contingent is
as follows:
Girls u15
Anaka Alankamony, Sachika Balvani, Saumya Karki,
Aparajitha Balamurukan
Girls u19
Dipika Pallikal, Anwesha Reddy, Harita Omprakash
Boys u15
Mahesh Mangaonkar, Abhishek Pradhan, Vivek Dinodia
Boys u19
Vikram Malhotra, Paramit Singh, Ravi Dixit, Karan Malik
Officials
Cyrus Poncha, Bhuvneshwari Kumari
Although an uphill task the Indian
contingent has set a target of winning two of the four titles says
National Coach, Cyrus Poncha.
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