Gallery | Shepparton awash with squash talent

By Daniel Webb

Jul 12, 2022

Focus mode: Bendigo International winner Akari Midorikawa (Japan) competed in the PSA Women's Challenger event. Photo: Rechelle Zammit Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Some of the world’s most promising squash talent descended on Shepparton last week, with the Shepparton International Open Squash Championships returning in entertaining fashion.

Game mode: Hong Kong’s Wai Sze Wing takes aim. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

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Hosted by the Goulburn Valley Squash Club, the tournament welcomed players from across Australia and the world to the region for close, competitive action.

Resetting: Japan’s Akari Midorikawa has a rest. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

In the PSA Women’s Challenger event, Hong Kong world number 170, Toby Tse, took out the event, downing Australia’s Sarah Cardwell in the final.

Meanwhile in the Men’s PSA Challenger Tour final, Malaysian Hafiz Zhafri secured the victory.

Entertaining game: Toby Tse and Akari Midorikawa battled it out in the PSA Women's Challenger category. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Goulburn Valley Squash Club President Christian Lecompte said he was happy with how the event played out.

“Everybody was very happy and excited to be playing squash again,” Lecompte said.

Eyes on the ball: Australia’s Sarah Cardwell prepares to hit the ball. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“They (the competitors) came from Bendigo last week and all commented how good the courts were and how much better they played and the whole atmosphere of the club and the competition.