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Nhlanhla Mbele
UNHERALDED England-based squash sensation Ryan Gwidzima got a plate in this year’s edition of the Safeguard Zimbabwe Open Squash Tournament after coming out as the ninth best player in a competition that had an 18-member draw.
Last year, Gwidzima (14), came out on position 13 only to make an improvement that saw him beat his 19-year-old rival Brighton Nyakabawo 3-1 in this year’s plate final played last weekend at Suburbs Squash Club in Bulawayo.
Taking part in the 2019 Safeguard Zimbabwe Open Squash helped Gwidzima with an opportunity to prepare for the forthcoming Welsh and Hungarian Open tournament.
“It helped me with my preparations for the Welsh and Hungarian Open tournament. I’m happy the preparations for the tournament are still going on well. However, I don’t want to put myself under any pressure,” said Gwidzima after the Zimbabwe Open that featured players from South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Nigeria and host country, Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe fielded both men and women’s teams where there was a doubles open section and a veterans’ category for participants over the age of 45.
Gwidzima is a budding squash star who has previously represented Zimbabwe from the time when he was eight years old.
He has donned national colours in the process doing well Under-13, 14, 15 and 16 age groups.
His father Langton said he greatly appreciated his son’s love for squash.
Zim Open final results
Men’s: Tyne Turnock beat Ken Mwape (3-0).
Ladies: Polite Mubure beat Michelle Williams (3-2).
Vets: Mike Burns beat Trust Siziba (3-0).
Doubles: Mike Burns and Neil Nesbitt beat Ken Mwape and Strydom (3-0)
3rd and 4th men’s: Innocent Mukumba beat Tafadzwa Mushunje (3-0)
Online Reporter