Local Squash Siblings Shine During Busy Summer Break

Secondary student Harleein, a Squash Scholar at Kolej Tuanku Jaafar (KTJ), and her younger brother, Hisshan, had an exceptionally eventful summer, showcasing their talents at several international and local squash tournaments.

World Junior Individual Championships in Houston

The siblings kicked off their summer with a high-profile international competition. From July 12th to 17th, 2024, Harleein, just 14 years old, competed in the World Junior Individual Championships held in Houston, Texas. Competing in the Under-19 category against senior and professional players, Harleein, despite being unseeded, made a notable impact by finishing 25th out of 128 players. Her performance was remarkable as she was the youngest competitor in the tournament and surpassed three of her more experienced compatriots.

Hong Kong Junior Open Success

Following her efforts in Houston, Harleein continued to impress at the Hong Kong Junior Open from July 29th to August 3rd, 2024. Although competing in the Girls Under 17 category, Harleein, who was eligible for the Girls Under 15 category, secured the second runner-up title. This strong showing is seen as excellent preparation for her upcoming tournaments, including the REDtone International KL Junior Open and the British Junior Open in January 2025.

Her younger brother, Hisshan, also made a splash in Hong Kong. In his debut year in the Boys Under-13 category, he achieved a commendable 6th place. This result was a significant improvement from his performance in the Penang Junior Open held in June 2024, reflecting his growth and potential.

Gold Medal at SUKMA

August continued to bring success for the siblings. From August 16th to 23rd, 2024, Harleein represented her team at SUKMA, Malaysia's premier sports event for athletes under 21. Despite being the youngest on her team, she played a pivotal role in securing the gold medal in the mixed team event. The Negeri Sembilan team, with Harleein's crucial contributions, triumphed over Sarawak in a closely contested final that ended 2-2.

“We only trained together for around six months, so I never thought that we could win gold in our first Sukma,” said Harleein to the Star

Local Triumph at MSSNS

Returning to Malaysia, Hisshan demonstrated his prowess at the MSSNS (Negeri Sembilan Schools Sports Event) from August 6th to 8th, 2024. Representing Kolej Tuanku Jaafar, he clinched the championship title in the Boys Under 12 category, impressively winning every game without dropping a set.

Both Harleein and Hisshan have had a remarkable summer, underscoring their dedication and skill in squash. Their achievements not only highlight their individual talents but also set a promising trajectory for their future in the sport.

JJ Owen- Director of Sport at KTJ said; “Well done to both Harleein and Hisshan on their achievements, a very impressive set of results. I look forward to seeing where their talent and dedication will take them next! It is great to see students being able to pursue and thrive in elite sport alongside their vigorous academic studies.”