Honours Shared In Asian Junior Championships

Gold medal honours were shared between Hong Kong, Malaysia, Pakistan and India in the Asian Junior Championships in Busan, the second largest city in South Korea.

Hong Kong's top seed Leo Au, runner-up in event two years ago, won the Men's U19 title - beating No2 seed Ivan Yuen, of Malaysia.

Underdog Yuen battled to a 2/1 lead, but Au maintained his cool to fight back to win 9-2, 5-9, 8-10, 9-5, 9-1 to collect the title which eluded him two years ago.

Malaysia's defending champion Low Wee Wern took on last time's under 15 champion Dipika Pallikal, the second seed from India, in the Women's U19 final. The match started off with both players playing an aggressive brand of squash - a style of play which lasted throughout the match.

However Pallikal made too many unforced errors whilst Low played some awesome lengths. Top seed Low, only 17 years old and the only player to defend her title, won 9-1, 9-6, 9-0.

The day started with India's Anaka Alankamony, the top seed in the Women's U15 event, taking on 3/4 seed Ho Ka Po of Hong Kong. Ho started off well, leading 6-1 in the first game. The favourite, using her aggression and power play, levelled and eventually took the first game.

The second was similar, with Ho again leading and Alankamony catching up to prevail again. The third was fairly easy as Alankamony romped home to a 9-6, 9-6, 9-5 victory to keep the title in Indian hands.

Similarly in the Men's U15 event, top seed Nasir Iqbal swept aside the challenge from India's Mahesh Mangaonkar to ensure that the title remained in Pakistan. Iqbal made few errors and was extremely quick around the court. The lanky Mahesh gave it his best but struggled with the speed and accuracy of the favourite as Iqbal strode to a 9-4, 9-4, 9-3 victory.

Men's U19 Final:
[1] Leo Au (HKG) bt [2] Ivan Yuen (MAS) 9-2, 5-9, 8-10, 9-5, 9-1

Women's U19 Final:
[1] Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt [2] Dipika Pallikal (IND) 9-1, 9-6, 9-0

Men's U15 Final:
[1] Nasir Iqbal (PAK) bt [2] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) 9-4, 9-4, 9-3

Women's U15 Final:
[1] Anaka Alankamony (IND) bt [3/4] Ho Ka Po (HKG) 9-6, 9-6, 9-5