Egyptian Teen Amina Orfi Wins World Squash at 18
Eighteen-year-old Amina Orfi just became the youngest women's world squash champion ever, defeating the world's second-ranked player in a historic five-game final on home soil in Egypt. She's also the first player to hold both junior and senior world titles simultaneously.
At just 18 years and 10 months old, Amina Orfi stepped onto the court in Giza, Egypt, and made history that will echo through squash for generations.
The Egyptian teenager defeated compatriot Nour El-Sherbini 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 14-12 in Saturday's Professional Squash Association World Championships final. The victory made Orfi the youngest women's world champion in the sport's history.
"I'm speechless," Orfi said after claiming her 12th PSA title. "I worked so hard to get here and had so many tough losses this season."
The match itself was a rollercoaster. El-Sherbini, a 31-year-old veteran chasing her ninth world title, dominated the opening game as Orfi struggled to find her rhythm. But the teenager didn't let the setback shake her confidence.
Orfi stormed back to win the second and third games, putting herself one game away from the championship. El-Sherbini, showing the championship experience that earned her eight world titles, forced a decisive fifth game with a commanding fourth-game victory.
The final game featured multiple tie-breaks, with the momentum swinging back and forth. A powerful backhand from Orfi that El-Sherbini couldn't return sealed the teenager's historic victory after 106 minutes of intense competition.
Orfi's championship run required defeating both of Egypt's top players. In the semifinals, she overcame world number one Hania El-Hammamy in four games, rallying after dropping the opening game.
Why This Inspires
Orfi recognized she entered both matches as the underdog, with less pressure than her opponents who were protecting rankings and chasing records. Instead of letting that intimidate her, she used it as fuel. "I knew I had the least pressure, and I went for it," she said.
Her achievement marks another milestone in her already impressive young career. She's the first player ever to hold both the world junior and senior championship titles at the same time, proving that age is just a number when talent meets determination.
The teenager's victory also showcases Egypt's incredible depth in squash. All three women on the podium in Giza were Egyptian, demonstrating the country's dominance in the sport and its ability to develop world-class talent across generations.
Sometimes the biggest wins come when you have nothing to lose and everything to prove.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera English
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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