Youth first in Sussex to win squash title

That has been shown by Tom Walsh from Hove, after he became the first teenager from Sussex to win the under-19 title at the British Junior Squash Championships.

His name is the first from Sussex to be etched on to the trophy in the championships’ 43 year history.

The 18-year-old said: “I played really well the whole week. I was seeded two for the event, so I knew I had an outside chance of winning, but it’s been amazing. I just always assumed someone else from Sussex had already won it.”

Tom came out 12/10, 11/6/ 11/9 over his Yorkshire opponent Nick Wall in the competition in Manchester - winning in three straight sets.

The champion - who is now ranked first in the UK - has been playing squash since he was nine years old.

He started playing competitively when he was 11.

He said: “My friends were all really annoyed with me at first, they wanted me to go out but I just wanted to play squash - I knew it was what I wanted to do, so I’ve dedicated a lot of time to it.

“They’re a bit more understanding now.”

Tom’s involvement in the sport has seen him travel as far as New Zealand to take part in competitions, as he competes on a global scale.

Recently, the player lost against the 49th ranked in the world - but he was far from disappointed.

Tom trains with Sussex Squash and Racketball coach Ben Hutton, who he says has helped him a lot with his technique over the years.

He added: “I have to give a lot of credit to my coach, who is brilliant.”

Tom is no stranger to rigorous training, as he previously pushed himself when he narrowly missed out on being selected for the England U13 reserve team.

The hard work paid off, and he was later chosen to join the U15s.

And now, he has made history.

Jerry Walsh, Tom’s father, said: “Obviously we’re overwhelmingly proud.

“We didn’t realise that in 43 years nobody had won it from Sussex - it’s an absolute testament to the work Tom has put in to it.

“We had some great results from across the county - all of the players should be really pleased with themselves.”

Sussex’s Jonah Bryant also won the under 13 title at the championships, held in Manchester from October 26-29.

Jasmine Hutton, 18, and Torrie Malik, 14, were also finalists in the girls’ titles but lost out in their final matches.

Despite its popularity, squash is not yet part of the Olympic Games - even though it pre-dates other Olympic sports such as tennis and basketball.

For more information on the tournament, visit www.englandsquash.com/bjc