Harith and ElHammamy eyeing BJO glory in Birmingham

Malaysia’s Harith Danial Jefri is targeting a breakthrough victory at the 2025 British Junior Open in Birmingham, while Egypt’s Nadien ElHammamy is hoping for another podium-topping performance.

Harith has been named as boys’ U19 top seed for the prestigious event, which takes place at the University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness and four squash clubs across the city from 2-6 January. There will be 770 players from more than 50 countries battling for the 10 trophies on offer.

Despite coming close on several occasions, Harith is yet to win a major junior squash title. At this year’s World Junior Championships in Houston, he reached the semi-finals as a 9/16 seed and was two games up against Korea’s Jooyoung Na before going down in five. Harith went on to land a podium finish after winning the bronze medal play-off. At the Asian Junior Championships a month earlier, he lost in the U19 final to Pakistan’s Hamza Khan. At the 2019 BJO, he was 2/1 up and had two match balls in the U13 final against England’s AbdAllah Eissa, only to lose agonisingly 14-12 in the decider.

The 18-year-old hopes January will bring his breakthrough moment. “It’s my last BJO and I hope that I will play my best,” he said. “I will definitely give my all on court. The chances of winning the title are 50/50 as the draw is open, but I really hope I can achieve it this year. I think the unseeded Egyptians will give a tough time to most of the seeded players since they are known to be good in squash.”

Harith will have a short trip to Birmingham from Bristol, where he joined the performance sport programme at the University of the West of England (UWE) in October after gaining a full scholarship. He follows in the footsteps of UWE alumni, England no.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy and fellow Malaysian Eain Yow Ng, the world no.13.

On his first term at UWE, Harith commented: “I’ve been enjoying the environment here so far. The people are nice, I love the weather and it’s my first time witnessing snow, so it’s a big thing for me! I sometimes get the chance to train with players in the world top 100 which is a new experience.”

For Egypt’s U19 second seed ElHammamy, the British Junior Open has been a happy hunting ground. Last year’s girls’ U17 champion is looking to double up in the U19 category this time around.

With the awesome Amina Orfi and last year’s U19 champion Fayrouz Abouelkheir opting not to enter this year and last year’s runner-up Caroline Fouts turning 19, this year’s winners’ podium looks unpredictable.

“I don’t think my title chances depend on the entries list” said ElHammamy. “I am sure it depends on my performances and overall output throughout the tournament. I definitely hope I can seize the title, and more importantly, play some good squash, like last year.”

Cairo-born ElHammamy took a circuitous route to last year’s BJO U17 title victory. In the last 16, she hit back from 2/1 down to beat USA’s Whitney Wilson 11-9 in the fifth, then came from 2/0 and 7-2 down in the semi-final against France’s Lauren Baltayan, before coming from a game down to win a five-game final against India’s Anahat Singh in which three games went to tiebreaks.

“Those great comebacks were definitely something to remember and be proud of,” she said. “Winning the final after all these tough matches was an indescribable feeling. I was just glad all the hard work and sacrifices finally paid off! It will mean a lot to win this year’s title as it’s my first BJO U19. I have worked so hard again this year, so hopefully I can do it.”