Gawad And El Welily Crowned Al Ahram Open Champions by Nathan Clarke
photos squashpics.com
September 23, 2016
- In front of one of the most iconic sporting backdrops of all time -
the Pyramids of Giza - it was local man Karim Abdel Gawad, the World
No.6, and Women's World No.5 Raneem El Welily who took the spoils in
the 2016 Al Ahram Squash Open NewGiza to write their names into Egypt's
sporting history books.
In the shadow of the iconic structures Gawad, who came past World
Championship runner-up Omar Mosaad to reach the title-decider, overcame
Ali Farag - the Cairo-born World No.10 - in straight games to become
the first Egyptian to taste success here since the legendary Ahmed
Barada in 1998, while El Welily overcame the challenge of compatriot
and World No.1 Nour El Sherbini to become the first Egyptian woman ever
to win the iconic title.
Receiving almost $17,000 each - the first time a major squash
tournament in Egypt has offered parity in prize money - the duo
delighted the capacity crowd to claim arguably the most important wins
in their careers so far.
"It's a great pleasure for anyone to play at this amazing venue - which
is one of the most amazing locations of all time," said Gawad.
"As a player it is a dream just to be here but to win it is incredibly special.
“At the beginning of the tournament my only aim was to win my first
round and to get to play one match at the Al-Ahram Glass Court. So I am
so happy to hold and raise the trophy now. It was only at Championship
Ball that it hit me, that I was about to win this tournament.
“Ali and I played a good match and wee both played the best Egyptians
in the world all week. Today, I tried and be very strong mentally, and
in particular during the first game. I wanted to show him that I was
strong, and determined, and very focused and it paid off for me.”
Speaking after her thrilling five game win over El Sherbini, which saw
her halt several resurgent spells from the current World Champion, El
Welily said:
"Nour is the best player out there at the moment in women's squash. She
played a great match today and really pushed hard until the end and I
think we both gave it everything we had - which is fitting for this
final in this amazing location.”
