France won both the Men’s Individual and the Teams Event Finals to be crowned champions.
France emerged as the undisputed champions of the 2024 FISU World University Championship Squash, held in Johannesburg from 2 to 8 September. The French team claimed gold in both the men’s individual as well as team events, showcasing their dominance throughout the tournament.
The championship concluded with a thrilling team final between France and Hong Kong China at the Wanderers Squash Club. Despite a strong effort from the Hong Kong team, France prevailed with a 2−1 victory. Baptiste Bouin, Macéo Levy and Kara Lincou secured crucial wins for France, while Nga Ching Cheng and Yat Long Chung pup up a valiant fight for Hong Kong China.
Out of the 14 competing, France and Hong Kong China were the dominant participants.
France won two gold medals in the men’s individual (1) and the team (1) events, with Spain also claiming a gold medal in the women’s individual competition. Hong Kong China won two silver medals in the men’s and women’s individual events, and another silver medal in the teams event as well as three bronze medals.
The FISU World University Championship Squash was a resounding success, thanks to the exceptional organization and hospitality provided by South Africa. The tournament showcased the world’s best young squash talent and fostered international camaraderie among student−athletes.
As this competition ended, there was a sense of pride among athletes who managed to qualify to reach both the men’s and women’s as well as the team finals. In the teams’ event, France put a formidable combination of four talented players such as Baptiste Bouin, Macéo Levy, Kara Lincou and Lea Barbeau to beat Hong Kong China 2−1 after winning 8−4 out of 12 games.
Frenchman Bouin and Hong Kong China’s Wai Lok To (3−7, 3−7, 5−7) faced off for the second time in the team final, following their clash in the men’s individual final which Bouin won on Wednesday. Again, To could not move past Bouin in the teams event, with Baptiste winning 3−0.
Hong Kong’s Nga Ching Cheng won 3−1 against Barbeau (6−7, 7−4, 7−6, 7−1). The second men’s game saw the talented and persistent Yat Long Chung playing France’s Levy in what was the longest (34’) of the final games which ended 4−7, 7−5, 3−7, 3−7. Lincou concluded France’s women’s match against Ching Hei Fung in the final 3−1 victory that sealed the championship for the French team (6−7, 7−0, 7−0, 7−0).
Speaking after the conclusion of the tournament, Hong Kong China’s team coach, Simon Yeng, said, “We have done well to get two silver medals in individuals and one team medals as well as three bronze medals. In the final we were under pressure, but I think my players did well.
“The tournament was very well organised; the audience, the facilities, the audience, the atmosphere, good transportation, the livestream and the hospitality were perfect. So a big thank you to South Africa for the successful tournament,” he said.
The team’s event ended with France as the gold medalists, Hong Kong China as silver medalists, and India and Czechia finishing as two bronze medalists.
In the women’s individual competition, Spain’s Marta Dominguez Fernandes took gold, Cheng finishing as silver medalist and Hong Kong China’s players finishing in two bronze medal positions.
The men’s individual title went to Bouin of France, To finishing as a silver medalist and India’s Suraj Kumar Chand in bronze medal position with Chung of Hong Kong China.
Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, Ms. Marissa Langeni, CEO: University Sport South Africa, said, "We are thrilled to see the exceptional talent and sportsmanship displayed by all participating teams. The 2024 WUC Squash has been an incredible showcase of university squash globally, and we’re proud to have hosted this event in Johannesburg.”
Ms. Langeni added, “We are grateful to our partners Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, University of Johannesburg and Squash South Africa for their support and to FISU and World Squash for continuing to create remarkable opportunities for student athletes."
Some of the dignitaries at the closing ceremony were Ms Peninnah Kabenge, Vice President: International University Sports Federation (FISU) and Secretary−General: Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU) and Ms Nomsa Mahlangu, Senior Director: UJ Sport and Executive Member. Dr Malumbete Ralethe, the former President of the Federation of African University Sports (FASU), also handed out medals to the winners at the closing ceremony.
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11 September 2024 | 
