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Al-Ahram Weekly
4 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Squash: Egyptian four-time world champion Ali Farag retires at 33 - Omni sports
Egypt's four-time world champion and former World No.1 Ali Farag has announced his retirement from professional squash with immediate effect, calling time on one of the sport's most decorated careers. The 33-year-old Harvard graduate, who held the World No.1 position for 238 weeks, shared the news in an emotional Instagram reel on Tuesday, saying he was stepping away with 'a full heart, a peaceful mind, and an open soul.' 'I hereby announce my retirement from our beautiful sport,' Farag said. 'It's been long coming ever since COVID really and I've achieved all my goals... Squash has been my passion, my identity and my purpose for as long as I can remember.' Farag's decision comes less than two weeks after he reached his fifth World Championship final in Chicago, where he lost to current World No.1 Mostafa Asal. He retires ranked second in the PSA world rankings. Widely regarded as one of the finest players in squash history, Farag claimed 46 PSA Tour titles, placing him sixth on the all-time men's list. His trophy haul includes four World Championships, four Tournament of Champions titles, three Qatar Classics, and three Egyptian Opens. He also won the British Open and three U.S. Open titles—one of which he famously shared with his wife, fellow squash star Nour El Tayeb, in 2017. Farag's professional career began in 2005 and spanned 553 PSA matches, of which he won 445. He also served as PSA Men's President for four years and was voted by peers for the PSA Spirit of Squash Award seven times over the past eight years. In his farewell message, Farag reflected on his journey, noting the sacrifices made for his family. 'I've missed so many of the milestones that I wanted to be there for—the school pickups, the late-night cuddles, the bedtime stories,' he said. 'I've always believed in balance and I feel like that balance has shifted now.' He also thanked his parents, brother, and coaches—including Karim Darwish and Mike Way—and paid tribute to his wife, whom he called 'the most important person' in his life. Farag concluded his message by expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, stating: 'My heart, like so many others, is with the Palestinian people... May we never let silence be complicity.' The Professional Squash Association (PSA) praised Farag's legacy. 'Ali has been a true ambassador for the sport,' said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough. 'He combined incredible athleticism and talent with humility and sportsmanship... His presence on the tour will be deeply missed.' Farag's retirement means he will not compete in next week's British Open in Birmingham. His seeding will be passed on to Peru's Diego Elias, while England's Simon Herbert will move into the main draw. Career highlights: PSA titles: 46 PSA finals: 81 Match wins: 445 Weeks at World No.1: 238 Represented Egypt in four World Team Championships (all wins) Farag ends his career not just as a champion, but as a symbol of professionalism and grace in modern squash. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
New Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Aira climbs to career-best No. 26 after Bermuda Open triumph
KUALA LUMPUR: Two-time national champion Aira Azman reached a career-high world ranking of No. 26 in the latest PSA Tour standings released on Monday. The 21-year-old climbed four spots after capturing her fourth PSA title at the Bermuda Open on Saturday. The win comes at a perfect time as Aira gears up for her third appearance at the World Championships, which begin Friday in Chicago. Her sister, Aifa, also saw an improvement in the rankings — moving up from No. 42 to No. 38 — after reaching the semi-finals in Bermuda. Meanwhile, Asian champion S. Sivasangari held firm at No. 9, with Rachel Arnold staying at No. 19. Ng Eain Yow remains the country's top-ranked male player at No. 10.
New Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Confident Aira out to dazzle at World Championships
KUALA LUMPUR: Fresh from her Bermuda Open triumph, squash star Aira Azman will head into the World Championships brimming with confidence as the tournament gets underway in Chicago on Friday. The world No. 30 capped a strong showing in Devonshire by beating Egypt's Hana Moataz (world No. 38) 12-10, 11-3, 11-6 in Saturday's women's final — her fourth title on the PSA Tour. The two-time national champion is making her third appearance at the Worlds and will be hoping to surpass last year's run in Chicago, where she made the second round before falling to England's Georgina Kennedy (No. 7) after beating Wales' Lowri Roberts. This year, Aira opens her campaign against England's Torrie Malik (No. 44) in what will be their first meeting on tour. A win could set up a second-round clash with Egypt's Salma Hany (No. 12), the reigning Manchester Open champion. The 21-year-old, who claimed bronze at the U-23 World Championships in Karachi last month, is focused but measured in her ambitions. "I haven't played Torrie before, but I'm looking forward to it," said Aira, who also bagged silver at the 2023 World Juniors in Melbourne. "I've been training hard since last year for this event, and I'll be taking it one match at a time in Chicago." Aira leads a strong Malaysian charge in the women's draw, which also features S. Sivasangari (No. 9), Rachel Arnold (No. 19), Aifa Azman (No. 42) and Ainaa Amani (No. 47). In the men's category, Malaysia will be represented by Ng Eain Yow (No. 10) and Sanjay Jeeva (No. 69).
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Aira crushes Moataz to bag fourth PSA crown in Bermuda
KUALA LUMPUR: Aira Azman lived up to her top billing by storming to victory at the Bermuda Open, beating world No. 38 Hana Moataz in straight games in Saturday's final in Devonshire. The world No. 30 needed just 27 minutes to dispatch the Egyptian 12-10, 11-3, 11-6, sealing her fourth PSA Tour title since turning pro five years ago. "I'm really happy to win my fourth PSA title," said the 21-year-old. "It means a lot to me and gives me more confidence to keep improving. "I've been working hard with my coaches and team, so I'm glad the results are showing. "Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey." Aira, a two-time national champion, hopes her latest triumph will serve as a springboard for a strong showing at the World Championship in Chicago next week. "I'm excited to compete again and keep pushing forward," said Aira, who claimed bronze at the Under-23 World Championships in Karachi last month. She will open her campaign in Chicago against world No. 44 Torrie Malik of England in her third world meet appearance. Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director of coaching Andrew Cross hailed Aira's win. "It was a good result against Moataz, who's always a tough opponent."
The Star
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Aira takes down big sis Aifa to reach Bermuda Open final
PETALING JAYA: National squash player Aira Azman took down big sister Aifa Azman to book her spot in the Bermuda Open final on Friday (May 2). Top seed Aira came back from a set down to defeat fourth seed Aifa as she won 4-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-6 in 31 minutes in Devonshire. Aira continued her winning streak against her older sister, following their last meeting on the PSA Tour at the Australian Open last year, which Aira also won in four sets. Two-time national champion Aira will now take on Egypt's Hana Moataz in the final. It will be their first match-up on Tour. Second seed Moataz had defeated eighth seed compatriot Amina El Rihany 7-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9 in the semi-finals. Meanwhile in New York City, Joachim Chuah and Yee Xin Ying made their way into the men's and women's semi-final at the Hyder Trophy. World No. 149 Joachim delivered a good performance to take down second seed Cesar Salazar of Mexico 11-8, 11-7, 11-7, and will now meet England's Sam Todd in the semi-final. In the women's category, fourth seed Xin Ying fought her way back and managed to secure a 9-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-2, 11-2 win against Isabelle Tang of the United States. Xin Ying is now set to meet second seed Chan Sin Yuk of Hong Kong in the semi-final.
