The 2023 Mortgage Company of Canada Canadian Junior Closed Championships Presented by Portage concluded this week with ten National Champions crowned. The four-day event, held from May 6-9, brought together the best junior players from across Canada, with over 190 athletes on the draw. Host venues included the Forum de Montreal where the Jonathon Power All-Glass Show Court was erected as well as were Club Atwater and McGill University.

Squash Canada would like to acknowledge and thank the squash community and our partners for making this event possible. Thank you to Title Partner the Mortgage Company of Canada and Portage Ventures as Presenting Partner. As well, many thanks go to Platinum Partners Club Atwater and the City of Montréal, and Gold Partners Pembroke Management, Pella Montreal Windows and Doors, Sonder, the Government of Québec, Richter LLP, Syra Group, AirSprint Private Aviation, Slaight Music, RBC Wealth, Dunlop, the Government of Canada, McGill, Richardson, Squash Québec, Midtown Sanctuaire, Altas Partners, Forthlane Partners, YDC Pro, Ardo VLM, and Xamsa.

The event featured Gold draws for the country’s top Junior Boys and Girls U11, U13, U15, U17, and U19, a Boys U17 Silver draw, and hosted the Squash Quebec Open PSA Satellite event simultaneously. The athletes in the Gold draw competed for the title of National Champion, displaying some of the highest levels of squash and great competition.

While this was the first year for the Boys and Girls U11 Gold category, their squash careers, and opportunities to win a National Title only beginning, the athletes competing in the U19 category fought for their last opportunity to capture a Junior National Title. Committed to attending Harvard in the fall, Canada Winter Games Gold medalist Jacob Lin of BC claimed the U19 National Title this year, his fifth since 2017. Meanwhile 17-year-old Ocean Ma, Canada Winter Games Gold medalist, fought her way to the U19 finals where she competed against Team BC teammate Maria Min to capture her third National Title since 2021.

Jacob Lin, U19 National Champion, shared his experience at the Canadian Junior Closed Championships: “I’ve been playing Nationals ever since I was 10, and now that I’m in U19, this title was extremely meaningful to me. It represents the years of passion, perseverance, and dedication that I have put into squash. I knew that this tournament would be one of my last junior events before I attend college, so I wanted to enjoy every moment I had on and off the court. Lastly, I want to thank Squash Canada, the sponsors, referees, players, my family, coaches, and friends for creating these fond memories I’ve had in my squash journey – without them, none of this would have been possible.”

Squash Canada would like to thank the local host committee led by Dave Phillips and Yvon Provençal, as well as the dedicated volunteers led by Anne-Christine Lajoie and Diana Martin, for their tremendous efforts. Squash Canada would also like to extend a big thank you to the Referee team, led by Tournament Referee Viano Oghenekevwe, for their dedication to the sport of squash, their time and efforts.

“Having competed in so many junior national championships in the past, it has been such a great experience to be able to bring this prestigious event to Montréal,” said Tournament Co-Chair, David Phillips. “The quality of squash has been fantastic and it really shows that the junior Canadian squash scene is thriving. We have been extremely fortunate with the amount of support we have received. Working closely with our dedicated team of staff and volunteers has been a joy and I hope to see this event back in La Belle Province again soon.”

National Champions

BU11

🥇 Marcelo Toriz (BC)

🥈 Chase Facchin (ON)

🥉 Nolan Ryding (ON)

GU11

🥇 Mabelle Sy (BC)

🥈 Annie Wang (BC)

🥉 Adele Mariglia

BU13

🥇 Joseph Suh

🥈 Ibrahim Hosny

🥉 Obie Ryding (ON)

GU13

🥇 Veera Dhaliwal (BC)

🥈 Elishka Roux (ON)

🥉 Lily Fan (BC)

BU15

🥇 Yusuf Matti-Alvarez (BC)

🥈 Calder Murray (AB)

🥉 Mohamed Elserafy (AB)

GU15

🥇Joelle Kim (BC)

🥈Maria Sabogal (QC)

🥉Sara Anderson Rahumtula

BU17

🥇 Faazil Khan

🥈 Youssef Sarhan (QC)

🥉 Rohan Paliwal (AB)

GU17

🥇 Spring Ma (BC)

🥈 Keira Hickox (ON)

🥉 Sarah Aki (BC)

BU19

🥇 Jacob Lin (BC)

🥈 Devon Li

🥉 Daniel Deverill (ON)

GU19

🥇 Ocean Ma (BC)

🥈 Maria Min (BC)

🥉 Iman Shaheen (ON)

Results via Club Locker Draws: Click Here

Alex Doucas Award recipient: Iman Shaheen of Ottawa, ON

This award is presented to the competitor in the Canadian Junior Squash Championships who best exemplifies the spirit of fair play, enjoyment of life, and commitment to excellence, as exhibited by Alex Doucas during his lifetime. In particular:

• Fair Play – includes having respect for the rules of the game and having respect for referees and opponents.
• Enjoyment of life – includes actions off the court that demonstrate openness, honesty, friendliness, and support for fellow competitors.
• Commitment to excellence – includes a willingness to sacrifice, exhibiting a high degree of discipline and dedication, in order to achieve the highest possible standard of play.
• Candidates will be restricted to one of the top 8 finishers in the Women’s or Men’s U19 category.

Note: The winner is nominated and selected by coaches and officials.