Omneya Abdel Kawy Sets New World Squash Record In Paris by Howard Harding 28 November 2016
- After making her championship debut as a 13-year-old in 1998, Egypt's
Omneya Abdel Kawy establishes a new world record at the 2016 WSF
Women's World Team Squash Championship this week in Paris by
representing her country for a 10th successive time.
With 47 appearances for Egypt in the biennial championship to date,
world No.8 Abdel Kawy and her team-mates are seeded to reclaim the
world title they won both in 2008 in Egypt and 2012 in Nimes, France.
Just three months into her teenage years, Abdel Kawy made an impressive
start to her international senior career at the 1998 championship in
Stuttgart, Germany - winning all her four matches and helping Egypt to
a first ever top eight finish. In a remarkable junior career, the Cairo
youngster won six successive British Junior Open titles before being
crowned World Junior Champion in August 2003.
Now 31, the former world No.4 remains unbeaten in the world team championship since December 2010.
In recognition of her unique achievement, Abdel Kawy received a special
trophy from World Squash Federation President Jacques Fontaine,
supported by her Egyptian team-mates (see above).
"We grew up together at the same club in Maadi," recalled Egyptian team
coach Amr Shabana, the former world number one and four-time world
champion (also pictured above). "The first time I saw her, she was just
five years old - hitting amazing shots, far exceeding someone of her
age.
"She hit it hard, cross court and deep - and continued that throughout her career.
"She is an amazing player - players like her don't come around that often!"
Abdel Kawy was overwhelmed to receive her trophy: "It's always an
honour to play for your country - and a privilege to play for Egypt.
"Team events are so special - and we don't have events like the
Commonwealth or Asian Games, so this event is the only one we play as a
team. And, unlike when you play in individual events, when you play in
a team event, with your team-mates supporting you, you want to give
150%. I really love it.
"I remember that first time in Germany in 1998 - I had no pressure and
no coaches telling me I had to win. Which is probably why I did win all
my matches - I guess I was fearless in those days."
Last month, Abdel Kawy lost the first Tour match she played just four
weeks after marrying Ahmed Said on the 1st October. "I trained really
hard for the next three weeks as I really wanted to make the Egyptian
team here.
"I am so surprised to discover that I am the only person that has
played in ten world team championships - and I am honoured to receive
this acknowledgement."
Hosted by the Fédération Française de Squash, the 20th edition of the
WSF World Team Championship is taking place in France for the second
time since 2012.
