K2 Squash PSA Challenger 2026 : FINAL
(1) Salman Khalil (Egy) 3-0 (8) Finnlay Withington (Eng) 11–8, 11–8, 11–7 (36m)
The K2 Squash PSA Challenger 15K Championship 2026, presented by One World Squash, concluded successfully at K2 Squash Club, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of international squash in the United States. The prestigious PSA event brought together top-ranked players from around the world, reinforcing the growing global presence of squash and elevating its profile in North America.
In the final, top seed Salman Khalil (EGY) delivered a commanding performance to defeat 8th seed Finnlay Withington (ENG) in straight games, winning 3–0. Khalil maintained control throughout the match, securing victory with scores of 11–8, 11–8, 11–7 in 36 minutes.
With this triumph, Salman Khalil was crowned champion and awarded a prize of $2,850, while runner-up Finnlay Withington earned $1,800 for his outstanding performance during the tournament.
The closing ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Sunny Rao, Sudhir Naik, and Ali Rezvi, along with Karamatullah Khan, Founder of One World Squash, and Tournament Director Muhammad Naveed Alam. The chief guests presented trophies and prizes to the finalists, marking the successful conclusion of a world-class championship.
This internationally sanctioned PSA event was organized under the leadership of Tournament Director Muhammad Naveed Alam, an internationally recognized squash professional. His vision, expertise, and dedication played a pivotal role in bringing a global sporting event to the United States, further strengthening the nation’s standing in the international squash community.
Expressing his gratitude,
Tournament Director Muhammad Naveed Alam stated:
“We are proud to have successfully hosted the first K2 Squash PSA Challenger 15K Championship. The level of competition was exceptional throughout, and we are thankful to all players, sponsors, officials, and fans for their support. Our goal is to continue promoting squash at the international level and to contribute to the growth of the sport in the United States.”
On the occasion, CEO of K2 Squash, Mr. Kama Khan, also shared his remarks:
“We are proud to have successfully hosted the first K2 Squash PSA Challenger 15K Championship. The level of competition was exceptional, and we are grateful to all players, sponsors, officials, and fans for their support.I would like to especially acknowledge Tournament Director Muhammad Naveed Alam, who managed every aspect of the event with great professionalism. His dedication, leadership, and international experience were instrumental in the success of this championship. We are fortunate to have such an accomplished professional working with us. With his expertise, we successfully organized our first-ever international PSA tournament.”
Semi-Finals :
The K2 Squash PSA Challenger 15K Championship 2026, presented by One World Squash, reached an exciting stage as the semifinals were played at K2 Squash Club, delivering high-quality performances and setting up a thrilling final.
Both semifinal matches showcased exceptional skill, intensity, and determination, with players battling hard for a place in the championship final.
In the first semifinal, 8th seed Finnlay Withington (ENG) continued his impressive run in the tournament by defeating Aly Tolba (EGY) 3–1 in 45 minutes. After dropping the opening game, Withington showed great composure and tactical awareness to win the next three games 8–11, 11–4, 11–9, 11–8, securing his place in the final.
In the second semifinal, top seed Salman Khalil (EGY) delivered a dominant performance against 3rd seed Mohamed Sharaf (EGY), winning 3–0 in 43 minutes. Khalil edged two closely contested opening games before taking full control, closing the match 14–12, 12–10, 11–1.
Tournament Director Muhammad Naveed Alam commented:
“The semifinals were played at a very high standard, with both matches showcasing top-level squash. Finnlay Withington’s performance has been outstanding throughout the tournament, while Salman Khalil has shown why he is the top seed. We now look forward to an exciting final.”
Semi-Finals
The K2 Squash PSA Challenger 15 Championship 2026, presented by One World Squash, continued with high-intensity action as four quarterfinal matches were played on Friday at K2 Squash Club. The quarterfinal stage delivered exceptional quality and drama, with two major upsets highlighting the tournament’s competitiveness.
Unseeded Aly Tolba (EGY) produced an outstanding performance to defeat 5th seed Yassin Elshafei (EGY) in straight games 3–0, marking one of the key upsets of the round. Tolba controlled the match from start to finish, winning 11–8, 11–6, 11–5 in 27 minutes.
Another major upset saw 8th seed Finnlay Withington (ENG) overcome 2nd seed Tom Walsh (ENG) in a thrilling five-game encounter. In one of the best matches of the tournament so far, Withington secured a hard-fought 3–2 victory in 67 minutes, winning 10–12, 11–6, 11–13, 11–5, 11–7.
In other matches, 3rd seed Mohamed Sharaf (EGY) delivered a dominant display against Lwamba Chileshe (NZL), securing a comprehensive 3–0 victory in just 23 minutes.
Top seed Salman Khalil (EGY) showed his class, defeating Joachim Chuah (MAS) 3–1 in a competitive encounter lasting 52 minutes.
Tournament Director Muhammad Naveed Alam commented:
“The quarterfinals showcased excellent squash with very high standards. We witnessed two major upsets and some outstanding matches, particularly the five-game battle between Finnlay Withington and Tom Walsh. The level of competition continues to be exceptional.”
Round Two :
The K2 Squash PSA Challenger 15 Championship 2026, presented by One World Squash, delivered another thrilling day of action as all eight second-round matches were completed at K2 Squash Club.
The intensity of the competition continued to rise, with several top seeds facing strong challenges and multiple upsets highlighting the depth and quality of the field. The biggest surprise of the day came as Joachim Chuah (MAS) stunned 7th seed Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) in a gripping five-game encounter, winning 3–2 in 49 minutes.
Another notable upset saw Lwamba Chileshe defeat 6th seed Omar Said (EGY) 3–1 in 51 minutes, delivering a composed and confident performance. In addition, Aly Tolba (EGY) overcame 4th seed Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) 3–1 in 52 minutes, bouncing back strongly after losing the opening game to secure an impressive victory.
Top seeds, however, maintained their dominance in other matches, with convincing performances across the board.
Tournament Director Muhammad Naveed Alam commented:
“The second round showcased exceptional quality and competitiveness. We witnessed some major upsets along with strong performances from the top seeds. This reflects the high standard of squash being played in this championship.”
Round One :
The inaugural K2 Squash PSA Challenger 15K Championship 2026, presented by One World Squash, kicked off today at K2 Squash Club with an impressive showcase of high-level squash, featuring eight thrilling matches.
The opening day delivered intense, highly competitive encounters, with players displaying exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship. The quality of play highlighted the strength of the international field in this prestigious event.
Tournament Director Muhammad Naveed Alam expressed his satisfaction with the days proceedings:
“We witnessed a very high standard of squash today. All matches were extremely competitive, and the players delivered outstanding performances. As this is the first edition of the K2 PSA Challenger Championship, we are proud of this strong start and hope that players, spectators, and fans continue to enjoy the tournament.”
Local Press Coverage :
Tournament Director Muhammad Naveed Alam : “I am excited to announce that we are organizing our first K2 Squash Men PSA Challenger 15K at K2 Squash Club, USA, taking place from April 8–12, 2026. This marks a major milestone for our club and we are proud to contribute to the growth of professional squash in our community.
