Five-game thrillers headline AJC Finals

The next generation of Australian squash produced a thrilling finish to the 2026 Australian Junior Championships in Tasmania, with several finals pushed to the limit across a dramatic final day.

Four of the nine finals went the distance, with the U13 Girls, U15 Girls, U17 Boys and U19 Boys titles all decided in five-game battles.

U11 Girls - Aliza Atif

Aliza Atif claimed the U11 Girls Championship, going through the tournament undefeated. 

Atif won over 70% of points played and lost just 37 points for the entire tournament to claim a convincing AJC title. 

U11 Boys – [1] Freddie Goldsmith def [2] Jasper Tapley 3-0 (11-8, 11-3, 11-3) 

Freddie Goldsmith was crowned U11 Boys champion after defeating Jasper Tapley in straight games.

Goldsmith admitted nerves played a part early in the final before he settled into his rhythm.

“The first game I was pretty scared, it was pretty even, but then I started playing better, more consistent and just being more patient and not attacking too much,” he said.

“It feels really good to be champion.”

U13 Girls – [1] Abbey Boswell def [9/16] Hannah Leung 3-1 (11-9,12-14,14-12,11-7)

Top seed Abbey Boswell  survived an epic clash with Hannah Leung to claim the U13 Girls title.

The pair traded momentum throughout a match that saw the second and third games both go deep, before Boswell held her nerve to close out the deciding game 11-7.

“It was tough, I like playing Hannah because it’s always a challenge, it’s always a good match,” Boswell said.

“There is always a lot of pressure on being the No.1 seed, but I tried not to think about that part.

“It feels really good.”

U13 Boys – [1] Aleister Loo def [2] Nathan Lin 3-1 (11-3, 11-8, 5-11, 11-2)

Aleister Loo overcame Nathan Lin 3-1 to take the U13 Boys crown in Devonport. 

Loo dropped the third game after taking the opening two, but responded immediately with an  impressive 11-2 fourth game to seal the title.

“I played really well. I dropped the third game, but came back in the fourth. Dad got me going, went through the gameplan and I locked in the last game to get the win,” Loo said. 

U15 Girls – [5/8] Yashica Jiwa Mohan def [2] Elizabeth Wang 3-2 (11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 7-11, 11-5)

Yashica Jiwa Mohan overcame Elizabeth Wang in a tense five-game final, recovering from a 2-all scoreline before taking the decider 11-5.

After Wang fought back from 2-0 down to level the match, Jiwa Mohan admitted she had to settle her nerves before finding her way through the final game.

“I was panicking a bit when it was 2-all, I just had to take a few breaths and my coach helped me through it. I calmed down after that,” she said.

“I just stuck to the gameplan. My opponent was so good, we both played really well.

“I’m so happy to win in my first year of Under 15s.”

Jiwa Mohan said the result was made even more special by the work that had gone into reaching the final.

“It feels amazing, I didn’t expect to win. I worked really hard, as did all the girls in my category, I’m really thankful and grateful.”

U15 Boys – [1] Naveen Sanghera def [2] Benjamin Boardman 3-1 (11-4, 2-11, 11-7, 11-7)

Naveen Sanghera claimed the U15 Boys title with a 3-1 victory over Benjamin Boardman.

Boardman levelled the match with an 11-2 second game, but Sanghera regained control to take the next two and secure the championship.

“We have had a lot of close games throughout my whole career, really happy to get the win,” Sanghera said.

“He managed to get the second, but I got through. I feel like I’ve been playing great.”

U17 Girls – [1] Tina Ma def [3/4] Olivia van Zon 3-0 (11-2, 11-9, 11-4)

Tina Ma completed a dominant U17 Girls campaign without dropping a game, defeating Olivia van Zon in the final.

Ma was tested most closely in the second game, which she edged 11-9 before closing out the championship and defending her title. 

“I just had to stay calm and managed to win the second 11-9, she played really well and has improved a lot,” Ma said.

Ma said she arrived in Tasmania unsure of what to expect after stepping up her training in recent weeks.

“I didn’t realise that I went through without dropping a game.

“I have a lot of respect for all my opponents.

“It feels great, I’m really happy with how I played the whole tournament and the shots that I made.”

U17 Boys – [2] Henry Kross def [1] James Boswell 3-2 (11-3, 6-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-6)

Henry Kross claimed his third AJC title after surviving a dramatic battle with No.1 seed James Boswell.

Kross looked in control after taking the first and third games, but Boswell refused to go away, saving the match with a 12-10 fourth game before Kross held his nerve to win the decider 11-6.

“It was a tough battle with James going to five. He put a lot of pressure on me. I’m so happy to get the win and my third AJC,” Kross said.

The final game was played amid plenty of noise from the crowd, but Kross said he relied on support from both his travelling NSW teammates and family.

“I just had to keep my cool and keep my calm, there was a lot happening with the crowd.

“The NSW crew and my family helped and I’m sure back at Parkes were cheering me on from the livestream.”

U19 Girls – [2] Joanne Joseph def [1] Sarbani Maitra 3-1 (11-0, 11-9, 1-11, 12-10)

Joanne Joseph capped an outstanding season by claiming the U19 Girls title over No.1 seed Sarbani Maitra.

Joseph took the opening game with an 11-0 blitz and held off Maitra in the second to win 11-9. Maitra fought back 11-1 in the third before Joseph fought strongly to win the fourth game 12-10. 

“Going into it, I wanted to just remain calm. It’s my last ever AJC so I wanted to go into it with a positive mindset. I surprised myself with how focused I was in the first game,” Joseph said.

“I’m glad I held my nerve and got through the tough moments. I’m over the moon. I can’t believe I’ve finally got an AJC title.”

The title capped a remarkable 2026 for Joseph, who also won the Australia Junior Open, finished runner-up at the Oceania Junior Championships and placed 26th overall at the World Junior Squash Championships in Canada.

“I’m so grateful for all the wins I’ve had. It’s been an amazing season. I didn’t play AJC last year because I was focusing on Year 12, so going into this new year, I was determined to do my best.”

U19 Boys – [1] Kasper Cheung def [3/4] Ethan Middleton 3-2 (6-11, 11-6, 11-3, 6-11, 11-7)

Kasper Cheung completed his progression from U17 champion to U19 champion with a huge five-game victory over fellow NSW player Ethan Middleton.

The No.1 seed dropped the opening game 6-11, responded by taking the next two, then Middleton forced a decider with an 11-6 fourth game.

Cheung ultimately held his nerve to win the fifth 11-7 and claim the U19 title.

“It’s definitely been a good year results wise,” Cheung said. “There was a patch where some of the squash I was playing wasn’t the best but results wise, I’m definitely satisfied with it.”

Cheung is now turning his attention towards the professional game, with plans to train full-time on the Gold Coast and compete professionally across Australia.

He also sees the prospect of squash joining the Olympic program as an added motivation for the next generation.

“It’s very exciting for the whole sport and for the country as well. With Greg [Lobban] coming in and he possibly can be the first Aussie Olympian for squash. It definitely inspires us young players a bit more to work hard and try to go for it for the next one.”

2026 Australian Junior Championships Results

U19 Boys 

Kasper Cheung def Ethan Middleton 3-2
6-11. 11-6. 11-3. 6-11. 11-7. 

U19 Girls

Joanne Joseph def Sarbani Maitra 3-1
11-0. 9-11. 11-1. 12-10. 

U17 Boys

Henry Kross def James Boswell 3-2
11-3. 6-11. 11-5. 10-12. 11-6. 

U17 Girls

Tina Ma def Olivia van Zon 3-0
11-2. 11-9. 11-4. 

U15 Boys

Naveen Sanghera def Benjamin Boardman 3-1
11-4. 2-11. 11-7. 11-7. 

U15 Girls

Yashica Jiwa Mohan def Elizabeth Wang 3-2
11-8. 11-9. 6-11. 7-11. 11-5. 

U13 Boys

Aleister Loo def Nathan Lin 3-1
11-3. 11-8. 5-11. 11-2. 

U13 Girls

Abbey Boswell def Hannah Leung 3-2
11-9. 12-14. 14-12. 11-7. 

U11 Boys

Freddie Goldsmith def Jasper Tapley 3-0
11-8. 11-3. 11-3. 

U11 Girls
Aliza Atif undefeated.