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Champions crowned at centenary squash competition in Birmingham

The 100th edition of one of the world’s most prestigious junior squash tournaments came to a close in Birmingham on Tuesday, with ten winners crowned across different age groups and a Midlands local securing England’s only medal.

By contributor Sam Simons
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The Alpha Bravo Construction British Junior Open was dominated by Egypt once again, with nine of the ten winners hailing from the African nation and eight of the finals being all-Egyptian affairs. 

The outstanding champion was Lauren Baltayan, from France, who beat India’s Anahat Singh, the top seed in the girls under 19 age group. It was her seventh and final attempt to win at the British Junior Open and she becomes the second ever French female title winner. 

Baltayan said: "I'm very proud of how I played. It just shows how far I've come. I started playing here when I was nine years old, and now to win in this highest category shows that all the dedication and training paid off."

Baltayan with her trophy.
Baltayan with her trophy.

Mariam Eissa, from the West Midlands, was the UK’s best performer in the competition, being seeded at 5/8 in the girls under 17 age category but going on to win a bronze medal. Ronnie Hickling, from Surrey, was England’s second best-placed player, securing an impressive sixth position in the BU19 category having been predicted to finish 9/16.

The BU19 final was an epic duel between close friends second seed Seif Refaay and top seed Adam Hawal. Just as in last year's BU17 final, it was Refaay who came out on top, 11-9, 2-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9.

He said: "I'm feeling over the moon to win the British Junior Open like so many Egyptian legends who came before. Fighting in every match with 100% effort and winning is a really great feeling."

Egypt dominate again.
Egypt dominate again.

Alpha Bravo Construction British Junior Open 2026 – Finals Day full results: 

  • G11 [2] Alia Elnazer (Egy) 3-1 [5/8] Malika Ghonim (Egy) 8-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-8 (31m) 

  • B11 [2] Hazen Mahmoud El Fadly (Egy) 3-0 [5/8] Ngo San Leung (Hkg) 11-7, 14-12, 11-8 (31m) 

  • G13 [1] Serein Mohamed (Egy) 3-1 [2] Nabila Elnahas (Egy) 12-10, 12-10, 6-11, 11-3 (39m) 

  • B13 [1] Yahia Waleed Rayan (Egy) 3-0 [2] Adam Ragab (Egy) 11-3, 11-7, 11-5 (27m) 

  • G15 [1] Layla Moustafa (Egy) 3-0 [3/4] Reem Elmaghraby (Egy) 11-9, 11-9, 11-4 (33m) 

  • B15 [1] Hassan Abdelgalil (Egy) 3-1 [2] Aly Abdel-Fattah (Egy) 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8 (31m) 

  • G17 [1] Habiba Rizk (Egy) 3-0 [3/4] Mariam El Mattet (Egy) 11-7, 11-7, 11-4 (23m)

  • B17 [1] Farouk Mohamed (Egy) 3-0 [3/4] Philopater Saleh (Egy) 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 (33m) 

  • G19 [2] Lauren Baltayan (Fra) 3-1 [1] Anahat Singh (Ind) 11-9, 7-11, 11-3, 11-9 (46m) 

  • B19 [2] Seifeldin Refaay (Egy) 3-2 [1] Adam Hawal (Egy) 11-9, 2-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9 (77m)

Find out more about the 100th anniversary edition at: britishjunioropen.com