Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
NIGERIAN Sodiq Taiwo is the winner of this year’s Safeguard sponsored Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship after beating compatriot Olanrewaju Abulrahaman 3-2 in a closely contested final at Suburbs Squash Club yesterday.
In a match that lasted 86 minutes, Taiwo won 15-13, 9-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-7 to claim the first prize of $1 000, while Abulrahaman took home $500.
Zambian Manda Chilambwe took third place with a 3-0 victory over his countryman Frank Wabo. Chilambwe, a former winner of the tournament, returned to Zambia with $250 and Wabo $150.
Eleven-year-old Ryan Gwidzima, the country’s Under-13 champion, won the plate final 3-0 against 16-year-old Brighton Nyakabawo. Gwidzima pocketed $150 for his effort and Nyakabawo got $50.
Yemisi Olatunji of Nigeria beat Zimbabwean Yvonne Mubure 3-0 in the women’s final. Olatunji walked away with $750.
Mike Burns and Neil Nesbitt reclaimed the doubles title with a 3-1 triumph over Matthew Mulaji and Janeel Giga. Burns and Nesbitt got $500, while Mulaji and Giga took home $300.
Zimbabwean Jeffrey Fenwick came back from two games down to overpower last year’s champion Freddy Chishimba of Zambia 3-2 in the veterans final. Fenwick received $300 and $150 found its way to Chishimba.
Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane watched the men and women’s finals. — @Mdawini_29
Online Reporter