Squash: Double delight for Egypt in junior finals

Egyptian Marwan Tarek (left) won the men's world junior title with a five-game victory over Frenchman Victor Crouin last night. Photo / Alan Gibson

Egypt have completed a clean sweep of the world junior squash championship for the first time since 2013 with Rowan El Araby winning the women's and Marwan Tarek the men's title.

El Araby, 16, was runner up in Poland last year but became a champion in Tauranga today with a dominant 3-0 win against the tournament's top seed, countrywoman Hania El Hammamy.

"I am so happy. I worked so hard for this title after coming second (in Poland) last year," El Araby said. "It's difficult playing another Egyptian but there are no friends on the court and I worked hard to stay calm."

She was a picture of composure as she led in each game and held firm as El Hammamy tried to rally, but never really go her game going, El Araby winning 11-7, 11-9, 11-8.

"I didn't expect it to be three-nil. All the matches I play against Hania are normally close. This is just amazing. I'm sorry, I don't really have many words right now."

Tarek, 17, was just as lost for words.

"I can't think right now, I'm the world champion, I'm the world champion," he said repeatedly, while high fiving his coaches and teammates. "Dreams do come true."

Tarek, was in control throughout the match, winning the first and third games before dominating France's Victor Crouin in the fifth.

After losing the first point Tarek reeled off eight points in a row before winning 11-2.

Tarek revealed he was feeling the effects of his semifinal win against top seed Youssef Ibrahim.

"I wasn't 100 percent ready. My body was weak but this is the world championships and you have to survive."

It was the first time since 2013 that an Egyptian has won the men's junior title while El Araby's success is the seventh successive title for an Egyptian woman.

The women's teams event starts today, with New Zealand due to face Egypt, winners of the last five titles, late in the day. Egypt and Malaysia are seeded to make the final. Egypt have beaten the United States in the last three finals.