Kuwait’s Adnan Al-Shammari defeated Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Binbakhit 3-1 in the final to capture the under-11 boys championship at the French Junior Open, according to the Saudi Squash Federation. The victory came at the conclusion of the event held in Lille from October 22 to 25. Al-Shammari’s win highlighted the competitive depth in the age group, where the Kuwaiti player overcame a strong challenge from the Saudi representative in a hard-fought match. The Saudi Squash Federation detailed the outcome in its official summary of the tournament results.
The French Junior Open featured 22 players from 11 countries in the under-11 category and 31 players from 17 countries in the under-19 division, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Al-Shammari’s path to the title included consistent performances across the competition bracket. His success adds to a series of notable results for Gulf junior players in international events this season. The tournament served as a key developmental platform for young talent across multiple nations.
Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Alnasfan secured the under-19 boys gold medal with a 3-0 victory over Switzerland’s Leandro Vogel in that final, according to the same Saudi Press Agency dispatch. Abdullah Binbakhit earned silver in the under-11 event following his loss to Al-Shammari. Saudi Squash Federation president Adel Al-Aqili described the medals as a reflection of leadership support for the sport and the federation’s talent development programs. The dual podium finishes for Saudi players came alongside Al-Shammari’s Kuwaiti triumph.
Squash has seen expanded junior participation across the Gulf region in recent years, with federations in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia investing in coaching and competitive opportunities, a pattern noted in regional sports development reviews. Al-Shammari’s title marks another success for Kuwaiti juniors on the European circuit. The French event aligns with a calendar that includes similar international junior opens designed to prepare players for higher-level PSA competitions. Gulf nations have increasingly featured in under-11 and under-13 draws at such tournaments.
The Saudi Squash Federation has prioritised junior pathways, contributing to improved performances in events like the French Junior Open, Adel Al-Aqili stated in the federation’s announcement. Similar initiatives in Kuwait have produced players capable of competing against European and Asian counterparts. Al-Shammari’s victory demonstrates the results of these structured programs. Both federations continue to schedule regular exposure to international competition for their developing athletes.
Organisers structured the French Junior Open to include round-robin and knockout stages suited to the age groups, ensuring competitive balance across the draws, the Saudi Press Agency noted in its coverage. Results from the under-11 final underscored the close rivalries between Gulf players. Al-Shammari’s achievement will likely bolster his junior world ranking position. The event wrapped up with medal ceremonies that recognised winners from multiple countries.
