Individual honours in World juniors

By Raju Chainani

PENANG, JULY 13. The World junior women's individual championship was initiated in 1981, thirteen years after the formation of the International Squash Rackets Federation. The event was initially staged on an invitation basis and pre-dated an accompanying team event by four years.

In the inaugural tournament, New Zealand's Susan Devoy, who latter dominated the senior game, went out in the semifinals in her only appearance. Interestingly, Devoy and Australia's Michelle Martin - two greats of the game - did not inscribe their names on this trophy.

The seeds had been sown and as the years went by, the number of participants and the standard grew considerably. Singapore's Lee Sook Hui became the first Asian to reach the quarterfinals, when she did so in the 1983 individual championships.

This achievement stood till 1997 when Malaysia's Leong Siu Lynn and Nicol David and Hong Kong's Rebecca Chiu reached the last eight. Since then, the Asian players have rewritten the history books.

India made its debut at Antwerp in 1999 and it was a baptism by fire for the quartet of Deepali Anvekar, Supriya Balsekar (both from Mumbai), Pia Abraham and Vaidehi Reddy (both from Chennai). In the individual event, Anvekar lost in the second round with the other three faling at the first hurdle. India just managed to avoid the wooden spoon in the team championship, finishing 17th, ahead of Wales.

This time round, the team is much stroner with National women's champion Joshna Chinappa leading the way. Her colleague Vaidehi Reddy is the number two player and the Chennai duo are head-and- shoulders above the Mumbai girls, Supriya Balsekar and Rachita Vora.

Having had a reasonable amount of international exposure, the Indians should fare much better. All eyes shall be on Chinappa in the individual and for a top ten finish in the team championships.

The roll of honour: 1981 (Ottawa): Lisa Opie (Eng); 1983 (Perth): Robyn Friday (Aus); 1985 (Dublin): Lucy Soutter (Eng); 1987 (Brighton): Sarah Fitz-Gerald (Aus); 1989 (Hamilton): Donna Vardy (Eng); 1991 (Bergen): Cassie Jackman (Eng); 1993 (Kuala Lumpur): Rachael Grinham

(Aus); 1995 (Sydney): Jade Wilson (NZ); 1997 (Rio de Janeiro): Tanya Bailey (Eng); 1999 (Antwerp): Nicol David (Mal).

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