Egyptian ace Yathreb claims first national gold for Roehampton
By Squash Mad Reporter
University of Roehampton student Yathreb Adel swept to victory in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Individual Squash Championships, winning gold in convincing style.
The three-day event in Birmingham was one of the largest squash tournaments in the country and was the highlight of universities’ squash calendars, with a particular high standard of play with a number of national and international ranked players competing.
Yathreb competed alongside team mates Katie Burke (team captain) and Katie Wilson who also performed strongly over the course of the event, with Katie Burke losing in the semi-final of her C grade competition and Katie Wilson performing well in the A grade category before withdrawing through illness in her last game.
Yathreb said on twitter: “I am really proud to have won the BUCS championship and representing the University at this competition. I had a great weekend with a great team!”
Since her arrival at Roehampton in September 2014, Yathreb, who is studying for a Business degree has competed on the international tour as an ambassador for the University and took part in events such as the US Open, the Cleveland Classic, Windy City Chicago and the World Open in Egypt.
She has played and beaten players world ranked higher than her, only losing to the World Number One Nicol David (Malaysia), World Number Four Camille Serme (France) and Low Wee Wern (Malaysia) world ranked number seven. She has only lost to players ranked in the Top 10 in the World.
Yathreb has now added the BUCS Individual title to her glittering array of successes. This is the first time that any University of Roehampton student has won a BUCS title in the university’s history.
James Ayres, Sport Roehampton Manger, said: “This is fantastic news for the University and for Yathreb and highlights the ongoing development in the Squash programme at Roehampton. Yathreb’s success demonstrates the commitment we have to supporting and developing talented squash players.
“The partnerships we have in place at Roehampton provide opportunities to combine academic studies with a high performance squash programme.”
Ian Robinson, Head Squash Coach, said: “The Roehampton Squash programme achieved unprecedented success in only its second year at the BUCS Individual squash championships in Birmingham. Team captain Katie Burke led the way making it to the semi-finals of the Women’s C Grade event and Katie Wilson put in solid performances in a very strong, international calibre, A grade event.
“The highlight, however, was the outstanding performances by Yathreb Adel in her first year at Roehampton University, comfortably winning the A Grade gold medal without dropping a game during the course of the whole event.
“Adel is an outstanding talent, tipped by some very good judges to be a potential top 5 in the World calibre player. Her current World ranking is 37.
“As Head Coach it is a pleasure to work with a team of such committed and talented squash players in order to put the Roehampton University squash programme on the national and international map.”
Making it an Egyptian double, Marwan Elshorbagy, of the University of the West of England in Bristol, defeated Robbie Downer, of the University of Winchester, in the men’s final.