MALAYSIA enjoyed an outstanding outing at the PBA 22nd Penang Junior Open 2026, held at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Penang, clinching eight of the 10 championship titles.
The Malaysians’ dominance reflected the country’s continued strength and depth in junior squash, while Hong Kong and Singapore each secured one title.
Several players lived up to their top seedings by capturing their respective titles, demonstrating consistency and composure throughout the tournament. At the same time, a number of lower-seeded players exceeded expectations by reaching the finals and semi-finals, underlining the growing competitiveness of junior squash across Asia.
One of the tournament’s most impressive breakthrough performances came from Wayne Isaac Wilson, who, despite being seeded 9/16, advanced to the Boys Under-15 final before losing to fellow Malaysian Vidhurran Ruthiran, 3-11, 6-11, 11-13.
Dakshayani Thangaraja of Federal Territory, Malaysia, seeded 3/4, went on to win the Girls Under-19 title after defeating higher-seeded opponents, including Malaysia’s Puteri Rania Zahirah Mior Ahmad Nazril, whom she beat 11-3, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8 in the final.
Seeded 3/4, Penang’s Meera Ruthiran played with confidence throughout the week to capture the Girls Under-11 crown, while Ivan Chang Jia Yu of Penang overcame top seed Izz Nabil Iman Shahrizan Azrol to claim the Boys Under-19 title.
Leung Ngo San of Hong Kong successfully defended his top seeding to become the Boys Under-13 champion, highlighting his consistency against a highly competitive field.
The champions in the 10 categories were:
- Girls Under-11: Meera Ruthiran (Penang, Malaysia)
- Boys Under-11: Iman Dylan Saadan (Putrajaya, Malaysia)
- Girls Under-13: Kareena Sashikumar (Singapore)
- Boys Under-13: Leung Ngo San (Hong Kong)
- Girls Under-15: Maisarah Mohd Khairul Nizam (Federal Territory, Malaysia)
- Boys Under-15: Vidhurran Ruthiran (Penang, Malaysia)
- Girls Under-17: Yek Rui Jean (Penang, Malaysia)
- Boys Under-17: Muhammad Raziq Putra Mohd Fakhrur Razi (Federal Territory, Malaysia)
- Girls Under-19: Dakshayani Thangaraja (Federal Territory, Malaysia)
- Boys Under-19: Ivan Chang Jia Yu (Penang, Malaysia)
The tournament, held from June 30 to July 5, attracted 749 players from 18 countries. Over six days of competition, more than 1,700 matches were contested across 12 courts, reaffirming the event’s reputation as one of Asia’s premier junior squash tournaments.
Squash Rackets Association of Penang (SRAP) president Datuk Linda Geh said the tournament showcased an exceptional standard of play across all age categories, with many closely contested matches highlighting the depth of junior talent from Malaysia and abroad.
She added that the event also provided an invaluable platform for emerging players to gain international exposure and ranking points.
“The PBA 22nd Penang Junior Open 2026 once again strengthened Penang’s reputation as an international hub for junior squash while fostering sportsmanship, friendship and cultural exchange among young athletes from across the region,” she said.
“The Organising Committee extends its sincere appreciation to the Penang State Government, PBA, sponsors, partners, officials, volunteers, coaches, parents and athletes for their invaluable support in making the tournament another outstanding success.”
RESULTS:
Boys Under 11
3/4: Cheng Hei Yu (Hkg) bt Cheng Hei Sen (Hkg) 4-11 11-5 11-3 11-9.
Final: Iman Dylan Bin Saadan (Mas) bt A. Taaneshsathiyen Sai (Mas) 11-9 11-7 11-9.
Boys Under 13
3/4: Nik Izz Dameer Norifaizal (Mas) bt Simon Mei Tianxiao (Hkg) 12-10 11-8 11-8.
Final: Leung Ngo San (Hkg) bt Mior El-Fayedh Mior Ahmad Nazril (Mas) 7-11 11-7 12-10 11-8.
Boys Under 15
3/4: Julius Tan Li Hao (Mas) bt Jackrish Kumar Sashikumar (Sgp) 3-0.
Final: Vidhurran Ruthiran (Mas) bt Wayne Isaac Wilson (Mas) 11-3 11-6 13-11.
Boys Under 17
3/4: Armann Merzha Ashraff (Mas) bt Muhammad Raihan Mohd Saiful (Mas) 11-8 11-4 4-11 7-11 12-10.
Final: Muhammad Raziq Putra Mohd Fakhrur Razi (Mas) bt Lokesh Subramani (Ind) 7-11 11-8 11-7 11-3.
Boys Under 19
3/4: Keshvan Gunasekaran (Mas) bt Brogan Cheng Ting To (Hkg) 11-8 11-9 11-3.
Final: Ivan Chang Jia Yu (Mas) bt Izz Nabil Iman Shahrizan Azrol (Mas) 11-8 11-6 11-5.
Girls Under 11
3/4: Olivia Jin (Hkg) bt Choi Eun (Kor) 11-5 11-9 11-7.
Final: Meera Ruthiran (Mas) bt Kavilaasri Balamurugan (Mas) 13-11 14-12 11-9.
Girls Under 13
3/4: Keerti Pradhaa Junivar Bala (Mas) bt Nuie Chew (Mas) 11-5 10-12 11-7 12-10.
Final: Kareena Sashikumar (Sgp) bt Rio Yoshino (Jpn) 12-10 11-5 12-10.
Girls Under 15
3/4: Tang Ching Sum (Hkg) bt Mahnoor Ali (Pak) 11-7 11-4 11-7.
Final: Maisarah Mohd Khairul Nizam (Mas) bt Chiu Hau Ching (Hkg) 8-11 11-6 12-10 11-4.
Girls Under 17
3/4: Emelda Camalia Razak (Mas) bt Ooi Wen Min (Mas) 11-8 11-4 11-6.
Final: Yek Rui Jean (Mas) bt Sailajja Chandrasegaran (Mas) 11-3 11-13 11-2 11-8.
Girls Under 19
3/4: Jinoreeka Ning (Mas) bt Arissa Faria Syed Humaiyun Kebir (Mas) 11-6 11-6 11-6.
Final: Dakshayani Thangaraja (Mas) bt Puteri Rania Zahirah Mior Ahmad Nazril (Mas) 11-3 9-11 11-9 11-8.
Pix courtesy of Squash Rackets Association of Penang