Marwan El Shorbagy Wins Historic World Title
by Howard Harding
July 18, 2011 - Two years after his older brother won the title for the second time, 17-year-old Marwan El Shorbagy clinched the 2011 WSF Men's World Junior Individual Squash Championship crown at the Flemish Squash Centre in the Belgian town of Herentals.
Marwan and Mohamed El Shorbagy, currently ranked nine in the world, are the first brothers in the sport's history to win world individual titles.
In the second successive all-Egyptian climax of the World Squash Federation championship in Belgium, El Shorbagy junior beat close friend Mohamed Abouelghar, a 5/8 seed, 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 in 45 minutes.
"I'm so happy right now - I've been dreaming of this since I'm 10, and when I saw my brother getting his first title in Switzerland, I wanted so much to win too," explained the new champion at the presentation ceremony. "You know, I had a terrible night last night, I just couldn't sleep at all.
"This was a very difficult match mentally, as Mohamed and myself are best friends, and we know each other's game so well, we've been playing each other since we were 10," added the No2 seed.
"There are so many Egyptian world juniors champions, we keep it going, and teach each other the game of squash!!!
"I have one more year to year to go, and next year will be in Egypt, so I so want to win it, because it will be in my own country. But it will be hard..
"How can I thank Jonah (Barrington) - how can I express all of what that man has done for me. I owe him so much. And I would like to dedicate this title to my dad, whose always been there for me. I need to thank my mum for coming here, and being there with me, and supporting me, and my brother Mohamed for being the best big brother ever."
Abouelghar, who made his breakthrough in the semi-finals where he defeated defending champion Amr Khaled Khalifa, had mixed feelings afterwards: "I'm disappointed with the result of the match, but not with this tournament.
"I didn't perform at my best today, I was really tired from yesterday, I didn't have much left in the tank when I started. And he played well, he made the rallies last, and that was not good for me, I just didn't have enough energy to play again five long games… But that's all part of the learning process.
"I want to congratulate Marwan, he is a great player. But I'll be back next year!"
RESULTS: WSF World Junior Individual Squash Championship, Herentals, Belgium
Final:
[2] Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) bt [5/8] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 (45m)
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