Draw, Seedings Announced for U23 World Squash Championships 2025

Report by Ishrat Yasmeen

The seedings and draws for the 2025 U23 World Squash Championships have been announced ahead of the tournament set to take place at DHA Creek Club, Karachi, from April 6 to 10.

The inaugural edition of this event will feature a 32-player draw in both the men’s and women’s categories, with a $60,000 prize pool and a spot in the PSA World Championships for the winners.

Women’s Draw

World No.13 Fayrouz Aboelkheir of Egypt has been seeded No.1, receiving a bye in the first round. She will face the winner of Spain’s Noa Romero Blazquez vs. Pakistan’s Mariam Malik in the second round. The No.2 seed, Egypt’s Malak Khafagy, is a strong contender, potentially setting up an all-Egyptian final.

Other top players include:

• Aira Azman (Malaysia, No.3 seed) – 2023 World Junior Championships silver medalist
• Sin Yuk Chan (Hong Kong, No.4 seed)
• Heylie Fung (Hong Kong, No.5 seed)
• Akari Midorikawa (Japan, No.6 seed)
• Xin Ying Yee (Malaysia, No.7 seed)
• Toby Tse (Hong Kong, No.8 seed)

Pakistan’s Sana Bahadar and Amna Fayyaz will also compete, facing Tamara Holzbauerová (Czechia) and Kurumi Takahashi (Japan), respectively.

Men’s Draw

World No.61 Ibrahim Elkabbani (Egypt) leads the men’s draw and will face Leon Krysiak (Poland) in the opening match.

Pakistan’s Noor Zaman, the No.2 seed, and grandson of squash legend Qamar Zaman, is among the top contenders and will take on Hussain Alzaatari (Kuwait) in round one.

Pakistan’s Hamza Khan, the 2023 World Junior Champion, will play Hugo Lafuente Jaen (Spain), while Muhammad Ammad faces No.4 seed Mohammed Naseer.

Another notable name is Rowan Damming (Netherlands, No.7 seed), the 2022 World Junior Champion, who will face Kijan Sultana (Malta) in the first round.

The tournament promises high-intensity action as young squash stars compete for the prestigious title and a place in the PSA World Championships.