Sodiq Taiwo & Yemisi Olatunji Win Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship [2017]

Recently updated on May 27th, 2020 at 03:54 pm

Sodiq Taiwo, has won Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship after beating compatriot Olanrewaju Abulrahaman 3-2 in a closely contested final at Suburbs Squash Club. Yemisi Olatunji beat Zimbabwean Yvonne Mubure 3-0 in the women’s final. Olatunji was awarded $750.

In the men’s match that lasted 86 minutes, Taiwo won 15-13, 9-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-7 to claim the first prize of $1,000, while Abulrahaman took home $500.

Zambian Manda Chilambwe took third place with a 3-0 victory over his countryman Frank Wabo. Chilambwe, a former winner of the tournament, returned to Zambia with $250 and Wabo $150.

Eleven-year-old Ryan Gwidzima, the country’s Under-13 champion, won the plate final 3-0 against 16-year-old Brighton Nyakabawo. Gwidzima pocketed $150 for his effort and Nyakabawo got $50.

Mike Burns and Neil Nesbitt reclaimed the doubles title with a 3-1 triumph over Matthew Mulaji and Janeel Giga. Burns and Nesbitt got $500, while Mulaji and Giga took home $300.

Freddy Chishimba was crowned veterans’ champion for the second year in a row with a 3-0 win over Zimbabwean Jeffrey Fenwick. Chishimba received $300 and $150 went to Fenwick.

According to Sodiq Taiwo and Yemisi Olatunji:

“We want to appreciate God for making this trip come to reality and also those that invested so much in us as a player. The ball is now in our court not to let the squash family down.

This is just the beginning of the race for the country and also a stepping stone to greatness. We are optimistic if given more opportunities to partake in open Championships like this, the players will be more fit to bring back home Africa Championship.”

The contingents led by the President, Squash Federation of Nigeria Referees, Bola Mogaji emerged overall winner of the championship.

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