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Gimcheon: Pakistan’s rising squash sensation, 11-year-old Mahnoor Ali, delivered a stellar performance at the 32nd Asian Junior Squash Championships, clinching a well-deserved silver medal in the Girls’ Under-13 category.
The tournament, held in Gimcheon, South Korea, showcased the finest young talent in Asian squash, with Mahnoor emerging as a standout star for Pakistan.
Mahnoor, seeded 3/4 in the Girls’ U-13 draw, began her campaign with confidence, storming into the quarterfinals. There, she faced India’s Anika Kalanki, dominating the match with a swift 11-6, 11-2, 11-3 victory to secure her spot in the semifinals.
Mahnoor Ali’s momentum continued as she pulled off a remarkable upset against Malaysia’s top seed, Maisarah Binti Khairulnizam, winning in straight sets, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7, to advance to the final.
In a thrilling championship match, Mahnoor went head-to-head with China’s Yin Ziwan. The young Pakistani prodigy fought valiantly in a five-game epic, showcasing her resilience and skill.
Despite a fierce battle, Mahnoor narrowly fell short, with the final score reading 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10 in favor of Yin. Mahnoor’s silver medal was a testament to her growing prowess and determination on the international stage.
Mahnoor’s achievement was a highlight of Pakistan’s impressive performance at the championship, where the nation secured a total of seven medals: two gold, two silver, and one bronze in the main events, alongside two gold medals in the plate events.
Her silver medal adds to an already illustrious resume, which includes being the first Pakistani female to win the US Junior Open 2024 in the U-13 category, a gold medal at the Australian Junior Open 2024, and a bronze medal at the 7th Borneo Junior Open 2023.
Speaking after the tournament, Mahnoor expressed pride in her performance and gratitude to her coaches and family for their support.
“I gave my all in every match, and I’m honored to bring a medal home for Pakistan. This is just the beginning,” she said.
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