Stars in their eyes - WJC glory is just the beginning

The 2023 World Junior Squash Championships begins in Melbourne next week, a tournament which has long been integral to the development and success of junior athletes heading into professional careers. 

Starting in 1980 for men and 1981 for women, the World Junior Squash Championships is open to athletes aged 19 and under. The competition was held biennially before becoming annually in 2009. 

Before this year’s event gets underway, let’s take a look back at some of our past champions who have gone on to great success in the sport.

MEN

Jansher Khan (1986)

Pakistan’s former world no.1 Jansher Khan started his illustrious career by taking out the World Junior Squash Championships in 1986 and the Senior World Open title in the same year at just 16 years old.  Khan is widely regarded as one of the greatest squash players of all time having won the World Open a record eight times and the British Open six times. 

Ramy Ashour (2004 & 2006)

Becoming the first-ever two-time World Junior Squash Champion with back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2006, Ramy Ashour’s success didn’t end there. While representing Egypt, Ashour won three World Titles in 2008, 2012 and 2014. Ashour was seen as the leading squash player of the late 2000s and early 2010’s. 

Mohamed El Shorbagy (2008 & 2009)

Beginning his career representing Egypt, Mohamed El Shorbagy repeated the feats of Ramy Ashour with back-to-back World Junior Squash Championships titles in 2008 and 2009. Reaching world ranking of no.1 first in 2014 and again in 2018, 2020, 2021, El Shorbagy was also the 2017 World Squash Champion. Since 2022 ElShorbagy has switched to represent England. His younger brother Marwan also won back-to-back World Junior Championships in 2011 and 2012.

Chris Robertson (1984)

Chris Robertson became the second Australian, following Peter Nance, to win the World Junior Squash Championships in 1984. Reaching a career-high world ranking of no.2 in 1991, Robertson was one of the world’s leading players throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. Robertson was a member of the winning Australian team at the 1989 Men's World Team Squash Championships and 1991 Men's World Team Squash Championships before embarking on a successful coaching career. 

Diego Elías (2014 & 2015)

Peruvian Diego Elias reached the ranking of world no.1 in April this year, becoming the first South American player in history to do so. Elias kickstarted his career by taking out the World Junior Championships twice, in 2014 and 2015. With time left in his career, Elias certainly looks to be on the path to achieve more glory.

WOMEN

Nicol David (1999 & 2001)

Considered by some to be the greatest women's squash player of all time, Nicol David has enjoyed a decorated career. The eight-time World Open Champion held the world no.1 position for a record-breaking 108 consecutive months. Her illustrious career began with another unbelievable feat, becoming the first female squash player to win the World Junior Championship twice, taking out the titles in 1999 and 2001.

Nour El Sherbini (2009, 2012 & 2013)

Current World Champion Nour El Sherbini holds the record for the most World Junior Championships, with an incredible three titles to her name. Following her wins in 2009, 2012 and 2013 El Sherbini became the youngest woman to win the Women's World Championship in 2015. Since then, she has gone on to win six World Championship titles, with only Nicol David and Jahangir Khan winning the sport’s premier event more times. 

Sarah Fitz-Gerald (1987)

One of the sport’s greatest female players of all time, Sarah Fitz-Gerald (pictured) is one of two Australian female players to have conquered the World Junior Championships. Beginning her career on the professional circuit at age 14, Fitz-Gerald won the World Junior Championships in 1987, with fellow Australian great Heather McKay as her coach. This was only the beginning of a long and successful career; Fitz-Gerald would go onto win five World Open titles, reach no.1 in the world and won gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. 

Rachael Grinham (1993)

Following in the footsteps of fellow Australian Sarah Fitz-Gerald, Rachael Grinham became the second Australian player to win the World Junior Championship in 1993. Grinham reached world no.1 ranking in 2004, holding onto the ranking for 16 consecutive months. She became World Open Champion in 2007 after defeating her sister Natalie in the final. She would also go on to win four British Open titles and has represented Australia five times at the Commonwealth Games. 

2023 WSF World Junior Championships
18-29 July | Melbourne Sports Centres VIC

For seedings and draw click here