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Egypt’s Amina Orfi becomes youngest women’s squash world number one at 19

Al Jazeera · 2026-09-21

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Amina Orfi became the youngest women's squash world number one at 19 years and two months after defeating Hania El Hammamy 3-2 in the Qatar Classic final. • Why it matters: Orfi's victory not only marks a significant personal achievement but also highlights the growing prominence of women in sports, particularly in squash, inspiring young athletes in Egypt and beyond. • What to watch next: Fans and the squash community will be closely watching Orfi's career as she aims to maintain her top ranking and pursue additional titles in the coming years.

**Amina Orfi Becomes Youngest Women's Squash World Number One at 19**

Cairo, Egypt - Amina Orfi has made history by becoming the youngest women's world number one in squash at the age of 19 years and two months. This remarkable achievement was secured following her thrilling victory over compatriot Hania El Hammamy in the final of the Qatar Classic, where Orfi triumphed with a score of 3-2 (7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 7-11, 12-10).

Orfi's victory not only dethroned El Hammamy, who was ranked number one prior to the match, but it also marked her first Platinum title and her third major victory in her burgeoning career. With this win, Orfi has now accumulated a total of 15 career victories, solidifying her position as a rising star in the sport.

In an emotional Instagram post following her victory, Orfi reflected on her journey, stating, “Sweat, tears, heartbreaks, and tons of sacrifices all for this moment.” Her ascent to the top of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings was officially confirmed on Monday, coinciding with the weekly update of the rankings by the PSA, the global governing body for professional squash.

This latest milestone is part of an extraordinary year for Orfi. Earlier in May, she became the youngest world champion at 18 years and 10 months, defeating then-world number two Nour El-Sherbini in a gripping five-game final at the World Championships held in Egypt. This victory made her the first player to hold both the world junior and senior PSA championship titles simultaneously, a feat that underscores her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.

After her victory in Doha, Orfi expressed her excitement, saying, “It feels amazing. To become world champion and become world number one in the same year is a dream that I’ve had since I was very young and I really want to enjoy it.” She emphasized her desire to maintain her top position and continue improving, stating, “I want to stay on top now that I’m the world number one, and I want to win a lot more titles too.”

Orfi's rise in the squash world has not only showcased her remarkable skills but has also inspired many young athletes, particularly in Egypt, where squash has a significant following. Her achievements reflect the growing prominence of women in sports, particularly in squash, where female athletes are increasingly gaining recognition on the international stage.

As she embarks on this new chapter as the youngest world number one, the squash community and fans alike are eager to see how Orfi will continue to develop her game and what further milestones she will achieve in the coming years.

Source: Al Jazeera
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