The Pakistani Hornet
“Wearing the Pakistani shirt in the final of the US Junior Open was a proud moment for me,” says Huzaifa Ibrahim, a young squash sensation who began his journey at the age of five and is now chasing his dream of becoming a top-10 world-ranked player.
From winning his first tournament in Peshawar to securing titles in Qatar, Huzaifa’s passion for squash has grown with each victory.
Huzaifa’s most notable achievements include winning the Junior Japan Open Squash Championship four times consecutively—in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. He has been Asia’s number one in the Under-11 and Under-13 categories and reached the third spot in the Under-15 rankings in 2021.
In the interview, he describes his daily routine; he practices squash for at least five hours each day, regardless of the circumstances, a clear reflection of his commitment to the sport. But this commitment also comes with pain: Huzaifa recalls his defeat at the 2017 US Junior Open final, where he played both the semi-final and final against the same opponent. After a fierce battle in the semi-final, which he won, he narrowly lost the final match. He admits that he cried a lot after that match.
Reflecting on his 2019 win at the US Junior Open (Under-15), Huzaifa recalls how he experienced cramps on the day of the quarter-final, which was especially challenging since his semi-final was scheduled for later that same day. His entire body felt stiff, and he could barely walk the next morning. However, after the semi-final, an ice bath made him feel better and more relaxed—a moment that revealed not only his physical endurance but also his mental toughness under pressure.
Other highlights from his junior career include victories at the Frank Millet Junior Championship in 2022, multiple US Satellite events, and national tournaments such as the Pakistan Independence Day Boys U-19 Championship.
Recently, Huzaifa clinched the Houston Open Under‑19 title in 2024—his 35th international title—beating Christian Capella 3‑0 in the final. Despite facing setbacks in Professional Squash Association events, he remains a fierce competitor with six wins in his last ten matches, including a semi-final run at the St. James Open 2025 and a quarter-final appearance at the Dallas Open in 2025.
Despite his achievements, Huzaifa expresses disappointment over the lack of government support, especially from the Sindh government. However, he credits Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for stepping in and sponsoring him when he needed it the most.
He encourages children to start practising squash before the age of ten, ideally around six or seven. He emphasises that they should train with genuine interest rather than being forced into it. He also stresses the importance of listening to and learning from seniors.
Highlighting the need to support other sports, he points out that while everyone knew Pakistan lost the semi-final of the Under-19 Asia Cricket Cup in 2021, no one knew that Pakistan had won the World Snooker Championship that year. Therefore, he advocates for increased visibility for underrepresented sports.
What do you think Pakistan needs to do to support young athletes like Huzaifa?
This article was developed with the assistance of AI tools.
