CAIRO — In the world of squash, Egypt doesn’t just compete—it dominates. From packed arenas to the global stage, its champions set the benchmark, dominating both the men’s and women’s tours with a blend of skill, speed, and unyielding consistency.
February’s PSA rankings tell the story: Mostafa Asal and Hania El-Hammamy remain firmly perched at the summit, proving that Egypt’s reign shows no signs of slowing.
Rising stars
While established stars continue to shine, a new generation is already making waves. Teenage prodigy Amina Orfi has surged to second place in the women’s rankings, signaling a bold new chapter as former world No. 1 Nouran Gohar slips to fourth.
This seamless blend of experience and emerging talent underscores Egypt’s unrivaled depth and the strength of its talent pipeline.
With a roster primed for squash’s Olympic debut and commanding victories on every stage, the nation isn’t just winning titles—it’s shaping the future. For Egypt, supremacy isn’t a moment—it’s a dynasty.
Tour queens
World No. 1 Hania El-Hammamy capped a stellar run by claiming the prestigious Squash Champions Tournament title in New York, one of the season’s Platinum events held from January 22 to 31 with equal prize money of $239,000.
El-Hammamy edged American Olivia Weaver in a gripping five-game final, prevailing 3–2 after an 81-minute battle. The scoreline—11-7, 5-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7—reflected the intensity of a contest worthy of the occasion.
Her path to the crown was emphatic. She swept past Hong Kong’s Tomato Ho, teammate Kenzy Ayman, and Japan’s Satomi Watanabe without dropping a game before defeating compatriot Nour El-Sherbini in a dramatic semi-final showdown that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
February women rankings
Hania El-Hammamy (EGY)
Amina Orfi (EGY)
Olivia Weaver (USA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Nour El-Sherbini (EGY)
Dominant men
On the men’s circuit, Mostafa Asal continued to assert his authority as the world’s leading player.
The Egyptian powerhouse captured the Squash Champions Tournament title with a commanding straight-games victory over New Zealand’s Paul Coll in the final, winning 11-6, 11-1, 11-4.
Asal had booked his place in the final by defeating fellow Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad in the semi-finals, underscoring the nation’s stranglehold on the upper reaches of the men’s tour.
In recognition of his remarkable performances, Asal was named PSA Player of the Month for January, following his triumph at the season’s first Platinum-level event.
February men rankings
Mostafa Asal (EGY)
Paul Coll (NZL)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Diego Elias (PER)
Joel Makin (WAL)
Benchmark set
At a tournament renowned for revealing tomorrow’s champions, Egypt’s junior squash stars displayed a level of confidence that seemed almost inevitable.
Once again, Egypt’s junior prodigies stamped their authority on the international stage at the 2026 England Junior Squash Open. Across all age categories, their campaign was a showcase of precision, composure, and emerging talent, leaving a lasting impression on the competition.
Leading the charge was the under-19 category, where Seif El-Din Rifai rose to the occasion, capturing the title with a series of confident and commanding performances.
On the girls’ side, Egypt’s depth was equally impressive. Mariam El-Mattet secured a runner-up finish, completing an Egyptian-dominated podium in the under-17 category and underlining the nation’s firm grip on the sport’s next generation.
Malika Taymour added a third-place finish to the medal haul, further demonstrating Egypt’s strength at the elite junior level and highlighting a talent pipeline that promises continued success on the global stage.
Olympic bound
With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, Egypt is perfectly positioned to maximize its representation.
Under the qualification system for the 34th Olympic Games (July 15–24, 2028), each nation may field two players per event, giving Egypt the chance to qualify four athletes—two men and two women.
Olympic qualification will be determined through a mix of continental championships, PSA world rankings, global spots, and a final world qualifying tournament.
Led by world No. 1 Mostafa Asal and a formidable women’s lineup headed by Hania El-Hammamy, alongside Amina Orfi, Nouran Gohar, and the legendary Nour El-Sherbini, Egypt enters the Olympic era as the undisputed powerhouse of world squash.
