Joseph and Cheung Claim AJO U19 Titles on Thrilling Final Day in Melbourne

The next generation of squash talent put on a show at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic centre, with multiple Australians clinching Australian Junior Open titles.

With the event starting with 300 players, 10 homegrown and international champions have been crowned on the fifth and final day for the 2026 Australian Junior Open. 

U11 Finals

[1] Siti Aleeya Shahar (MYS) d [2] Ruisha Chu (NSW) 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-9)

Siti Aleeya Shahar (MYS) put on a dominant performance to open up the finals matches on the Glass Court at MSAC.

Shahar won in straight games, but knew she was in for a battle on court against Ruisha Chu (NSW).

“Ruisha was a tough player. I did my best,” she said.

In her first AJO appearance, Shahar is thrilled to be walking away as the U11 Girls champion.

“It makes me feel happy and I’m wishing I can come back here next year.”

[1] Nathan Lin (NSW) d [2] Freddie Goldsmith (VIC) 3-0 (11-3,11-7,11-3)

Rising star Nathan Lin (NSW) excited squash fans with his win in the U11 Boys final against fellow Aussie Freddie Goldsmith (VIC).

Despite a tough second game against Goldsmith, Lin was able to get the job done and secure the victory in straight sets.

“I kind of struggled in the second game - he was up 7-1. Like my coach said, I just hit some lobs and started winning points,” he said.

Lin said it feels great to finish the tournament with the U11 Boys title, which winning fills him with confidence.

“It’s been a pretty fun week. I got play Owen who goes to my club - he really wanted me to beat Freddie today so his wish is granted,” Lin said. 

U13 Finals

[3/4] Ee Rynn Chuang (MYS) d [1] Aradhaha Singh (IND) 2-3 (11-8,8-11,7-11,11-5,8-11)

The #1 seed Aradhana Singh (IND) was pushed to five games but Ee Rynn Chuang (MYS) in the U13 Girls final. Chuang kept her cool in the final game to claim the U13 Girls crown for the tournament.

“I’m very happy I won that game. I hope I can do my best in the next tournament.”

“I felt nervous before the match but I was able to calm myself down, especially in the fifth game.

With the match going to five sets against the top seed, Chuang expressed her skill and composure on court to show she’s a player to watch in the future.

“I’m very happy. I’m kind of speechless,” she said.

[1] Aleister Loo (VIC) d [3/4] Cheuk Him Brody Hui (HKG) 3-0 (11-9,11-8,11-6)

Aleister Loo (VIC) used home court advantage and put on a powerful display to win the U13 Boys final at MSAC.

The top seed was challenged by the Hong Kong player but showed class on court to win three straight games.

“I played pretty well. I got my length, got my drops and it all went well,” he said.

When asked if playing on his home court gave him an edge, Loo couldn’t deny it with family and friends watching from the stands.

“If I had to be honest, yes. It’s pretty fun playing on my own court. It feels great to be the U13 Boys champion.”

Loo’s attention now turns to playing at the 2026 Oceania Junior Championships kicking off tomorrow.

U15 Finals

[2] Kelihla Cheong (SGP) d [1] Emily Senior (JPN) 0-3 (10-12,9-11,10-12)

Kelihla Cheong (SGP) has announced herself with an imposing victory against last year’s champion Emily Senior (JPN).

Cheong stuck to her game plan to defeat Senior to claim the U15 Girls crown.

“I’ve played with her before. I was a bit scared because the first time I lost to her, but I played my best and I’m happy with the outcome,” she said.

When it came to her game plan, Cheong stuck to it and it worked a treat.

“I just told myself to play my best and win point-by-point,” she said. “It feels really great. The tournament has been great.”

[33/64] Kyan Phuah (MYS) d [9/16] Yuanbo Jia (CHN) 0-3 (4-11,7-11,10-12)

Kyan Phuah (MYS) came into the match as an underdog and put in an electrifying performance against Yuanbo Jia (CHN).

Phuah injured his ankle on match point but was able to push through to claim his first ever title.

“I was really happy on the court. Take it easy - happy go lucky. I’m really glad I won,” he said.

Playing a tall player, Phuah was able to get him moving around the court and win more points, claiming the U15 Boys title.

“I’m really happy. It’s my first title actually. It’s really a big step moving forward for me.”

U17 Finals

[3/4] Isabella Wilcox (QLD) d [2] Ruby Foo (WA) 3-1 (11-7,12-10,9-11,11-3)

Isabella Wilcox (QLD) has shown she’s an exciting talent to follow as she defeated fellow Aussie Ruby Foo (WA) in the U17 Girls final.

It was an awesome tournament for Wilcox who pushed the #2 seed to the limit, winning in four sets.

“It was so good, so long. She (Foo) played really well. It was a long game but got there in the end,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox enjoyed her tournament experience that took her all the way to the U17 Girls title.

“It’s been really good. I’ve played a lot of different people.”

With U17 Girls champion added to her name, Wilcox can’t believe she’s got the gold medal.

“It’s crazy. I didn’t think I’d come this far,” she said.

[1] Vihan Chathury (NZL) d [3/4] Bihandu Nanayakkara (NZL) 3-0 (11-3,11-9,11-3)

Vihan Chathury (NZL) proved why he was the #1 seed in the U17 Boys draw with an emphatic win over fellow teammate Bihanu Nanayakkara (NZL) in the final.

Chathury powered through the match, winning all three games in the final to clinch the U17 Boys title.

“It was good. I thought I played good out there. Bihandu is a tough player - I’ve played him quite a few times. I thought I did well to get it in the end,” he said.

Chathury said it’s a relief to get the job done and finish the week as the U17 Boys champion.

“It feels good because as the #1 seed, there’s a lot of pressure on you to win. It’s been a good tournament overall.

“It feels amazing. Last time I played this event, I played U15s and I came fourth, so it feels good,” he said.

U19 Finals

[2] Joanne Joseph (VIC) d [1] Sarbani Maitra (QLD) 0-3 (10-12,8-11,7-11)

It was a fairytale finish for Joanne Joseph (VIC) in her final AJO appearance. Joseph put on a powerful performance to defeat #1 seed Sarbani Maitra (QLD) in the U19 Girls final.

Overcome with emotion, Joseph said she is over the moon with this victory.

“It was amazing. It’s a dream come true to win the Australian Junior Open,” Joseph said.

“Sarbani is such an amazing player. We’ve been playing against each other since we were 10 years old.”

With the 2026 Trans-Tasman Test series win as the captain, the win today adds to a brilliant week for the rising star.

“I was honestly a bit nervous coming into this event. There are a lot of good players, but I’ve just had a great week. I’m just so happy right now,” she said.

Playing in this tournament since she was 10 years old, she said being named the U19 Girls champion is surreal.

“Last year I came super close and lost in the finals, so to finally be the Australian Junior Open champion is just amazing,” she said.

“Being one of the oldest in the tournament now, it’s so great to see these younger players coming up. I’m mostly going to miss this next year but I’m happy to get the win now.”

[2] Kasper Cheung (NSW) d [1] Jackson Wylie (NSW) 2-3 (8-11,11-4,11-5,5-11,9-11)

One of the best matches was saved to the end with Aussies Kasper Cheung and Jackson Wylie going the distance in a brutal U19 Boys final.

Cheung displayed class and tenacity to defeat Wylie on the glass court at MSAC in what he expected to be a long game.

“Jackson and I train together. We have close games - I’ve beaten him multiple times, he’s beaten me multiple times - it’s always a good battle,” Cheung said.

“He’s always a grinder. He’s very physical. I expected a long match and we had a long match. It was good.”

Cheung is thrilled to be finishing the tournament as the U19 Boys champion.

“I’m super happy. I’ve played this age group three times and the best I’ve done previously is the semi finals so I’m speechless to be honest.”

“It’s my favourite tournament on the calendar,” he said. 

For all results from the 2026 Australian Junior Open, click here.

To watch replays of 2026 Australian Junior Open matches, click here.