Egypt’s Zakaria & Abouelkheir headline 2024 draws

The draws for the 2024 British Junior Open (BJO) in Birmingham (3rd to 7th January) have been released with Egypt’s Mohamed Zakaria and Fayrouz Abouelkheir headlining the Boys and Girls Under 19 categories.

The England Squash platinum event will feature 675 players from 49 nations with players from Egypt, USA, India and Pakistan favourites to lift the coveted titles across ten age categories.

World no. 78 and World Junior silver medallist Zakaria is seeded to meet last year’s BU19 runner-up [2] Jonah Bryant of England in what could be a mouth-watering final showdown.

16-year-old Zakaria, who has recently won three PSA back-to-back titles will have to navigate past current World Junior bronze medallist [3/4] Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) in the last four, whilst former champion Bryant could lock horns with current German Open U19 champion [3/4] David Bernet (SUI).

World No.39, World Junior bronze medalist – and last year’s runner-up – Abouelkheir is seeded on the same side of the draw as former BJO runner-up [3/4] Janna Galal (EGY) before facing a potential final showdown with BJO U19 2022 runner-up and US Junior Open GU19 champion [2] Caroline Fouts (USA).

The BU17 draw predicts an all-Egyptian final with last year’s B17 and BU15 champions [1] Youssef Salem and [2] Marwan Asal set to square off in what would be a repeat of this week’s US Junior Open BU17 final in which Asal prevailed in three tight games. Lying in wait are 3/4 seeds Seifeldin Refaay (EGY) and Abdullah Nawaz (PAK).

GU17 top seed Anahat Singh (IND) – last year’s U15 champion – is predicted to add a third BJO title to her medal haul. Looking to mount an upset is Dutch Junior Open 2022 GU19 champion [2] Nadien Elhammamy (EGY) who fell to Singh in a five-game last 16 thriller at the 2023 WSF World Junior Championships.

Egypt’s Philopater Saleh is in prime position to capture the BU15 crown and scheduled for a last four encounter with US Junior Open BU15 runner-up [3/4] Brendan Tagliarini (USA) before a potential final clash with Scottish Junior Open BU15 runner-up [2] Jayden Oon (MAS).

GU15 top seed Malika El Karaksy (EGY) is seeded to meet three-time English National champion [3/4] Mariam Eissa (Eng) ahead of a scheduled showdown with former BJO GU11 champion [2] Harleein Tan (MAS).

The BU13 draw predicts an all-Egyptian final with top seed Malek Helmy set to do battle with [2] Omar Mohamed. Meanwhile, three-time US Junior Open champion Vivienne Sze (USA) is seeded for a GU13 last two clash with [2] Layan Moustafa (EGY).

Pakistan’s Muhammad Harmas Ali Raja and US Junior Open 2023 GU11 champion Kaylee Li are favourites to lift the boys and girls under 11 titles respectively.

Round one gets under way on 3rd January at 9am across four Birmingham venues: University of Birmingham Sport, Edgbaston Priory Club, Solihull Arden Club and West Warwickshire Sports Club.

You can watch live streaming from the all-glass court at the University of Birmingham Sport and  from courts from Edgbaston Priory Club – all on the WATCH PAGE.