DUNCAN Lee and Aira Azman captured the Men’s Premier and Women’s Premier titles respectively at the TC SRAM 40th National Championships 2025, held recently at the Nicol David Squash Centre in Penang.
Seeded joint third-fourth, Duncan upset top seed Sanjay Jeeva to clinch his maiden national crown in a hard-fought final, prevailing 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 in 43 minutes.
The semi-finals saw contrasting fortunes for the two finalists — Duncan eased past Ameeshenraj Chandran 11-8, 11-6, 11-5, while Sanjay was pushed to the limit before overcoming Joachim Chuah 12-14, 11-6, 12-10, 11-6 in 63 minutes.
In the women’s event, national players and sisters Aira and Aifa Azman battled through an epic five-game thriller before Aira emerged victorious to secure her third national title, winning 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8.
Both had earlier advanced comfortably from the semi-finals, with Aira sweeping aside Goh Zhi Xuan of Melaka 11-4, 11-6, 11-6, and Aifa defeating Yasshmita Jadishkumar of Negri Sembilan 11-8, 11-4, 11-4.
The four-day tournament attracted 185 participants across 15 categories.
Squash Rackets Association of Penang (SRAP) president Datuk Linda Geh said the association was proud to host the milestone event and expressed gratitude for the sponsorship from Thomas Chan, as well as the support of other donors, including the National Sports Council and the Penang State Sports Council.
RESULTS:
Men Premier
S-finals: Sanjay Jeeva bt Joachim Chuah 12-14, 11-6, 12-10, 11-6; Duncan Lee bt Ameeshenraj Chandran 11-8, 11-6, 11-5.
Final: Duncan Lee bt Sanjay Jeeva 11-9, 11-8, 11-8.
3rd/4th placings: Joachim Chuah bt Ameeshenraj Chandaran 12-10, 11-4, 11-6.
Women Premier
S-finals: Aira Azman bt Goh Zhi Xuan 11-4, 11-6, 11-6; Aifa Azman bt Yasshmita Jadishkumar 11-8, 11-4, 11-4.
Final: Aira Azman beats Aifa Azman 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8.
3rd/4th placings: Yasshmita Jadishkumar bt Goh Zhi Xuan 11-5, 11-6, 13-11.
Pix courtesy of Squash Rackets Association of Penang