This was the first year with the changed categories which saw U12, U14, U16, U18 and U21 categories, dropping the U13 category.
Ylvie Zahn has won three back-to-back U13 titles and was gunning for two more titles this year, the in the U14 and U16 categories. Zahn won both her group matches in the GU14 against Krist and Chan before tennis, setting up an all German final against ELizaveta Eliseeva. Zahn was too strong, taking the win +35 (21-14 21-10 21-4). Lucie Hanáčková won bronze, beating Tsz Ying Chan +15 (17-21 21-8 21-14 6-7).
Zahn then went on to claim victory in the GU16 category as well, she had a tough battle against home hope Elcke Mols. Mols is a strong squash player competing on the ESF junior circuit, and has been coached by Koen Hageraats this tournament. Zahn edged ahead in the first two sports, taking table tennis 21-16 and badminton 21-10 before losing squash 0-21. She bounced back in tennis, playing a strong game taking it 21-8 and the match +8 (21-16 21-10 0-21 21-8).
Romy Nothegger won bronze, beating Annemarie Del Favero +25 (21-9 21-12 21-17).
The Junior U14 title went to Romeo Sam for a second year in a row as he defeated twin brother Robin Sam in the final. He beat him +27 (21-11 21-12 21-13). Pierre Barrier won bronze, beating Camille Godet +39 (21-8 21-3 21-13). The Junior U16 title went to no 3 seed Daniel Austin after he defeated Romeo Sam +22 (16-21 21-9 21-10 4-0). Michal Fojtík won bronze, beating Johan Bret +22 (19-21 21-12 21-9 3-0).
Lucas Steyer added another junior title, winning his first U18 title after he beat Matěj Volf in a close battle by +11 (21-19 21-13 21-15 6-11). Chase Burgess won an all British battle, getting the better of Ollie Barton by +21 (21-14 21-14 21-16 3-1).
Bethany Pye reclaimed the GU18 title after she lost in the final last year, having won it once before in 2022. She beat Alina Reissenauer in a very close match by +5 (21-7 21-18 6-21 21-18). Romy Nothegger won bronze. Pierre Barrier won the U12 title, beating Edouard Duguet +35 (21-11 21-2 21-15) in the final. Henry Flatman finished third, after he beat Noah Penna +32 (21-2 21-6 9-11) in the 3/4 playoff.
Louise Duguet won the Girls U12 title, after she won all her group matches. She won a very close one against silver medalist Elizaveta Eliseeva by +6 (16-21 19-21 18-21 21-5). Lucie Hanáčková finished third. The Girls U12 category got their medals from no other than 3 time World Champion and 3 time U21 Champion Luke Griffiths!
Luke Griffiths won his third and last U21 title, beating Bastian Böhm +38 (21-6 21-10 21-9) in the final. Botond Francia won bronze by taking the match against Davidson +20 (17-21 21-4 21-14). It was an emotional U21 win for Luke Griffiths, as the U21 trophy has been named after his father who sadly passed away earlier this year. The new trophy was presented by his mum Suzie which was a special and moment to everyone present.
Holly Ranson won her first individual world championships title after she beat fellow British player Ellie Thomas +23 (21-3 21-0 5-21) in the final. Mathilde Deleuran won bronze, defeating Clarissa Steiner by +14 (20-22 21-4 18-21 10-8).
A big well done to all players who competed at the World Championships! We will try to get all the prizegiving ceremony photos and other photos taken over the weekend up on our Facebook page in the upcoming days.
See you next year!
Photo Credit: Gerhard Nel
