Hadji retains squash title
Pano Hadji made it title number 13 after defeating rival and training partner Jason Cole-Niven during the 16th annual edition of the Behind The Ball (BTB) Squash Coaching Academy tournament held at the Boksburg Squash courts.
This is the second year the two training partners met in the final during the September 14 and 15 event, which saw Hadji make an entertaining comeback from 2-0 down to win 13-11 in what was an absorbing encounter.
Cole-Niven is a former u-19 junior and South African number one (was also the national captain of the team that participated in the World Junior Championships in 2006).
He came into the tournament as the number two seed while Hadji enjoyed the top seed. This was Hadji’s 14th appearance in the BTB Squash tournament.
Despite Cole-Niven’s attempts to overturn last year’s final loss to the same opponent, Hadji’s big match temperament came out on top as he squashed any hopes of revenge from his opponent.
In other matches, Michael Camden-Smith faced Liam Boyd for the bronze medal with Camden-Smith edging it 3-2.
The women’s crown was contested between Ceanne Cole-Niven and Amy Flynn from St Dominics with the former claiming the crown 3-0 after a dominant display.
Sixty matches were played in total in the two-day tournament, with a total of 32 BTB members participating.
Other awards were given to the following:
* Winner Section A: Elona Mbayise – St Andrews School for Girls
*Winner Section B: Tegan King – St Andrews School for Girls
* Winner Section C: Nikita Loreggian – St Andrews School for Girls
* Sportsperson of the Tournament: Shanon Muir and Kerry McSweeney from St Dominics in Boksburg
* Most improved player: Donovan Beytell
* Most promising players: Danja van Rhyn (9), Petrus van Rhyn (8, not related), Hannah McBride (11), Megan Webber (8)
* Trophy for dedication and persistence: Hannah McBride (St Andrews School for Girls)
* BTB Honours trophy for dedication and loyalty: Amy Flynn (St Dominic)
