Others

Nickhileswar aims to win BJO title in Birmingham

KUALA LUMPUR: Asian junior champion M. Nickhileswar hopes to win his second squash title at the British Junior Open (BJO) which begins tomorrow in Birmingham.

The Penang player, who won the BJO boys' Under-11 title in 2019, is seeded fifth in the Under-17.

Nickhileswar, who received a first round bye, is expected to face Aaron Knox of Ireland next.

His main challenge should come against Egypt's joint-third seed Seifeldin Refaay in the quarter-finals.

Nickhileswar said he has a tricky draw and every match is going to be tough from the second round.

"I will take one match at a time. Although I'm seeded fifth, my first goal is to reach the semi-finals.

"I have been training really hard under two coaches, national chief coach Ajaz Azmat and also Aaron Soyza," said Nickhileswar.

Five other Malaysians: Altamis Aqhar Sallam Sufian, Aqil Mirza Naim Khairil, Khailash Ravi Kumar, Erwin Kros Christopher and Izz Nabil Iman Shahrizan Azrol will also feature in the boys' Under-17.

Malaysia are also banking on Harith Danial Jefri, who won bronze in the World Junior Championships in Texas last July, to live up to his top billing in the boys' Under-19.

A total of 31 Malaysian players will compete in the boys and girls' categories in the Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19.

Most Popular
Related Article
Says Stories