THE Guyana Squash Association (GSA) kicked off its final junior tournament for 2017 – the annual Farfan and Mendes Junior Skill Level, at the Georgetown Club Inc. courts on Tuesday.

There were several new entries this year as well as a few notable absentees, including Shomari Wiltshire who is competing internationally at this time.
Categories A-G will be battling from now until Sunday for a spot at the top of their respective groups.

Taylor Fernandes, although now a senior, will be playing in Category A in her continued support of the junior players, to extend their challenges and increase the number of the smallest group in the tournament. The four contenders began their matches on yesterday.
Tuesday’s matches saw the girls triumph in category B with Kirsten Gomes beating Demetrius DeAbreu and Abosaide Cadogan defeating Ethan Jonas.
Kirsten came out hard in the first game for a close win 11-9. De Abreu answered by taking back the second 11-8 but Kirsten took back the third 11-9 and went on to storm through 11-5 in the fourth.

Cadogan fought hard but couldn’t hold the first game, with Jonas winning 12-10, but then made light work of the following 3 games 11-4, 11-6, 11-5.
New talent shone through in the lower categories as some of the young players displayed skilful serves and treated spectators to unexpected rallies. No doubt these categories will develop as the tournament progresses.
Matches continue from 18:00hrs each evening, two sessions on Saturday and the final matches on Sunday.

Results of the matches played Tuesday evening were as follows.

Category B
Abosdaie Cadogan overcame Ethan Jonas 10-12, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5
Kirsten Gomes defeated Demetrius De Abreu 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5

Category C
Nicholas Verwey overpowered Zachary Persaud 11-5, 11-8, 11-7
Mohryan Baksh crushed Louis DaSilva 11-7, 11-4, 11-5
James Mekdeci overwhelmed Jason Gomes 11-3, 11-7, 11-7

Category D
Jahcinta Adams beat Beau Fernandes 11-3, 9-11, 15-13, 9-11, 11-7
Dhiren Persaud beat Isabella Ramjohn 11-6, 11-7, 11-7
Aishani Persuad demolished Teija Edwards 11-2, 11-1, 11-4

Category E
Arvin Seelall beat Angel Rahim 11-4, 11-13
Jared Saul defeated Grant Fernandes 11-9, 11-4
Joshua Verwey crushed Noah Rahaman 11-3, 11-2
Rayad Boyce overpowered Lajuan Munroe 11-9, 11-6

Category F
Leshaunte Berkley beat Jehan Singh 11-9, 11-8
Brenno DaSilva smashed Rylee Rodrigues 11-6, 11-0
Matthew Spooner overcame Tiana Gomes 10-12, 11-5, 12-10
Kayden Pynaendy beat Thandi Dean 11-8, 11-7

Category G
Safirah Summer beat Nicholas Sawh 11-7, 11-8
Jnae Singh whipped Mya Dean 11-6, 11-8
Shriya Persaud crushed Alea Ruplal 11-5, 11-3.