Nine out of 10 titles for Egypt, but the toast of Birmingham was France’s Lauren Baltayan who became girls U19 after a junior career littered with top podium near misses at the 2026 British Junior Open.
On Tuesday, the French second seed produced a stunning 11-9, 7-11, 11-3, 11-9 upset over India’s top seed and three-time BJO winner Anahat Singh.
This was Baltayan’s seventh and final attempt at lifting a BJO trophy, having won bronze medals in 2018, 2024 and 2025. She now becomes only the second French female BJO winner after Camille Serme’s victories in 2006 and 2008.
“I’m very proud of how I played,” said Baltayan, 18. “It’s a feeling I honestly can’t describe. There are some top players who have got their name on this title so I’m very happy to be among these players.
“It just shows how far I’ve come. I started playing here when I was nine years old, and now to win in this highest category shows that all the dedication and training paid off. I’m very proud.”
Baltayan, who won the European junior title last year, added: “This win is very important because it motivates French juniors coming up after me. It’s great for European squash too. I want to show that we can beat the Egyptians.”
The other nine BJO titles all went the way of Egypt, the finals all hogged by two players from the powerhouse nation apart from Ngo San Leung, of Hong Kong, who lost the boy’s U11 final.
The BU19 final was an epic duel between No.2 seed Seif Refaay and top seed Adam Hawal. Just as in last year’s BU17 final, it was Refaay who came out on top 11-9, 2-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9.
“I’m feeling over the moon to win the British Junior Open like so many Egyptian legends who came before,” said Refaay. “Fighting in every match with 100% effort and winning is a really great feeling.”
Habiba Rizk, still only 15, collected her third BJO crown thanks to an 11-7, 11-7, 11-4 triumph against Mariam El Mattet.
Elsewhere, Layan Moustafa collected her second BJO trophy by virtue of an 11-9, 11-9, 11-4 triumph over [3/4] Reem Elmaghraby in the GU15 showpiece.