England’s Finnlay Withington and Torrie Malik have been named as boys and girls U19 top seeds in the 2022 British Junior Championships (BJC) after the draws were released today.
A record 370 players from across the UK will compete across three Sheffield venues from 27-30 October and contest eleven titles from the inaugural mixed U9s through to the girls and boys U19s.
2022 World Junior Silver medallist Withington (Lancs) will be striving to capture his maiden BJC title but a formidable trio of former BJC champions – Sussex’s [2] Jonah Bryant, Warwickshire’s [3/4] AbdAllah Eissa and Essex’s [3/4] Yusuf Sheikh – will all be looking to mount a serious challenge. Withington, the current European U19 champion, faces a potential semi-final encounter with Eissa, a former British Junior Open champion ahead of Bryant, a six-time English champion in the final.
Meanwhile, reigning champion Malik (Sussex) will be looking to defend her GU19 crown and add a fifth title to her impressive BJC haul but is likely to face a stern test from two-time champion Asia Harris (Yorks) who she’s seeded to meet in the final. Standing in their respective paths are 3/4 seeds Isabel McCullough (Kent) and Lara Newton (Essex).
In the BU17s, former champion and England Squash Rising Star of the Year, Alex Broadbridge (Hants), is seeded to lock horns with 2022 Bucks Silver Open champion [3/4] Dylan Roberts (Kent) in the semis ahead of a potential final encounter with Welsh No.1 Archie Turnbull.
Two-time BJC champion Amelie Haworth (Hants) is favourite to retain the GU17 title but will have to navigate past Warwickshire’s [3/4] Meha Shah in the semis – in a repeat of the last BJC GU17 final in which Haworth emerged victorious. Meanwhile, second seed and Welsh no.1 Ellie Breach is seeded to meet Scottish No.1 [2] Robyn Mcalpine as a last four opponent.
Former BJC U11 champion Ronnie Hickling (Surrey) is in prime position to take the BU15 title with former English U11 Ismail Khalil (Warks) seeded second.
GU15 top seed Emily Coulcher-Porter (Bucks) – the current England No.1 – is predicted to square off with reigning champion [2] Reka Kemecsei (Sussex) in the final. Looking to upset proceedings are 3/4 seeds, Isabella Hutton (Sussex) – the sister of current British National champion Jasmine Hutton – and former BJC U11 champion Mariam Eissa (Warks).
Heading up the BU13s is 2022 Bucks Silver Open champion Zack Greengrass (Sussex) who could face a formidable challenge from England No.1 [2] Ali Khalil (Warks) with both predicted to contest the title.
Former national champion Fearne Copley (Yorks) will be hungry to capture her maiden BJC title in the GU13 but is likely to face stern opposition from current England No.1 Ameerah Ismail (Warwickshire) who she’s seeded to do battle with in the final.
Meanwhile, a sensational sibling showdown could be on the cards as twins [1] Finley and [2] Oscar Brown (Leics), are seeded to contest the BU11 title in what could be a repeat of September’s Bucks Silver Open which saw Finley emerge the victor.
Current England No.1 Nadiya Ismail (Warks) and Maya Goel (Surrey) are favourites to challenge for the GU11 title.
The mixed U9s will see 16 players compete for the inaugural title with players as young as six-years-old. England No.3 Thomas Earwicker (Surrey) is predicted to meet 2022 Bucks Silver Open runner-up [3/4] Daniel Pang (Middx) in the semis before a potential final with [2] Murtaza Alam Khan (Sussex).
