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Mustafa Syed

Syed sweeps away rivals en route to win

Mustafa Syed started his squash season off in winning fashion earlier this month.

By Whitehorse Star on October 30, 2014

Mustafa Syed started his squash season off in winning fashion earlier this month.

The 17-year-old dusted off his racquet and beat Tyler Nesgaard 3-0 in the A draw to win the Early Bird Squash Tournament title Oct. 18.

The match concluded the two-day tournament that saw Syed win every game in his three matches.

Michel Gélinas won the mixed B championship 3-1 over Jim Gilpin, while Omid Zargaran defeated Andre Benoit 3-0 to win the mixed C final.

Mattaeus Geisler shut out Brett Walchuk 3-0 to claim the mixed D title, while Mackenzie Cameron snagged the junior championship with a 3-1 win over Ivan Johnson.

In total, 44 players competed in the season-opening tournament, said local squash pro Khoon Chua.

“That’s a big number for our first tournament,” he said. “Tournaments usually average 36 to 40 players, so to have 44 is good.”

Meanwhile, the local squash seasons will get rolling early next month with the usual two categories of play.

Both divisions are full, said Chua, but spare players are still welcome to register.

“There are lots of new players,” he said. “It’s always good to have new players. Players come and players go in the Yukon. We always have a high turnover.”

The league is also looking for two more team sponsors.

Last season, EBA Engineering claimed the Div. 1 championship, while Better Bookkeeping eked out victory in Div. 2.

All squash games are held at Better Bodies Fitness in Whitehorse.

Chua also noted that the Yukon is aiming to send a squash team to the Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C., in February. Tryouts will take place this winter.

For more information on squash, visit www.squashyukon.yk.ca/.

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