Tribute to a special French star Enzo Corigliano, whose light will keep on shining
By JEROME ELHAIK – Squash Mad Correspondent
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of former French national Under-19 champion Enzo Corigliano, aged 23.
The news came as an incredible shock within the squash community on Sunday morning, in France but also worldwide.
It is an understatement to say that Enzo was appreciated by everyone who shared some time with him, on and off court. He was renowned for his flamboyant style of play as well as his charming personality.
Messages of condolences and support for his family have been flooding on social media, whether from his French fellow players or people who once shared a classroom with him.
Here is one thing among others which reveals what Enzo was all about: even if he was not featuring in a given tournament, he would never hesitate to travel hundreds of miles simply to cheer or offer some coaching advice to a friend.
Originally from New Caledonia – a special collectivity of France in the southwest Pacific Ocean – Enzo started making the 10,000 mile trip to France to play the National championships when he was just seven years old.
In 2008, he became the first player from the island to become a junior French champion, winning the Under-11 age group. In 2010, he moved to France to enter the squash national academy of Le Mans, before being crowned in U15, U17 and especially U19 levels – beating Victor Crouin in the final.
During all those years, he was a key member and captain of the French national team in U15, U17 and U19, and clinched several medals in the European Team Championships. He also reached the French senior top 10 in 2018.
Enzo Corigliano played on the PSA World Tour between 2014 and 2019, reaching a highest career ranking of 136 in August 2018.
He was runner-up in the Bendigo International, and semi-finalist in five other events. Two years ago, he had relocated to the United States to study at the Saint Lawrence University (New York), where he was a Communications and French major as well as member of the men’s squash team. In 2019, he was the winner of the Molloy South award during the College Squash Association’s Individual Nationals.
Squash Mad would like to extend its deepest sympathies to Enzo’s parents, Jennifer and Grégory, as well as the rest of his family and loved ones at this difficult time.