SEREMBAN - National squash player S. Sivasangari displayed a brilliant performance to lift the 2023 Tuanku Muhriz Trophy, defeating compatriot Aira Azman at the Squash Complex here today.
The native of Kedah took only 27 minutes to beat Aira 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 in the final match.
When met by reporters, the tournament’s top seed said the win was a huge confidence boost after being out of action for some time due to a car crash last year.
Currently ranked 49th in the world, Sivasangari said the victory was also the best preparation ahead of the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, scheduled to take place from Sept 23 to Oct 8.
"I’m happy to win this competition. It’s good for me because I have only two tournaments before the Asian Games. The Asian Games is a huge one, and I have set the goal to do really well,” she said.
Meanwhile, Aira acknowledged Sivasangari’s prowess on the court, saying the match was the best exposure for her to face the Asian Games.
"After this, I will focus on the Asian Games because it will be my first time, of course, the competition is tougher and it won’t be easy, but I will try to give the best performance and get satisfactory results," she said.
The men's category saw Egyptian Aly Hussein emerge as the champion after he defeated Muhammad Asim Khan from Pakistan 11-3, 11-1, 11-4.
The Tuanku Muhriz Trophy is a Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger Tour tournament.
The medals were awarded by Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir as the patron the Negeri Sembilan Squash Association. Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud also graced the event to witness the final match.
Also present were Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun as well as Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. - BERNAMA