adminSenior Sports Reporter
SOUTH Africa-based Zambian Ray Simbule yesterday retained the top prize at the Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship when he dispatched his countryman Mwansa Chileshe 3-1 in the men’s final played at Suburbs Squash Club in Bulawayo.It was the 11th year in a row since the country’s most prestigious squash competition was revived by the Matabeleland Squash Association and staged in Bulawayo that the men’s title has been won by a Zambian player.
The 35-year-old Simbule proved too strong for his opponent who is six years younger than him, recovering from one set down to win the match.
Chileshe who also plies his trade in South Africa took the first game 11-7 but that proved to be his only success in the match as Simbule took control of the proceedings winning the second game 11-3, the third 11-5 and the fourth 11-5 to claim his sixth Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship men’s crown in the 10 occasions that he has participated.
Simbule took home a cash prize of $1,000 and a trophy while Chileshe got rewarded with $750 and a miniature trophy.
Zambian Ken Mwape took third place which carried a cash prize of $250 with a win over Zimbabwean Ahmed Hassan who obtained $200 for his efforts.
Yvonne Mubure of Harare became the champion in the women’s section with a 3-0 triumph over Bulawayo girl Lauren Williams to take home $750 while Williams, runner up to Zambian Sharon Chimfwembe last year got $500.
It was an incredible 11th doubles crown for the country’s top doubles squash team of Neil Nesbitt and Mike Burns who saw off the Strydom brothers Gregory and Michael 3-0.
Nesbitt and Burns were presented with a shield and a cash prize of $500 while the losing finalists got $300.
Harare based Joseph Matambanadzo defeated Zambian David Simpemba 3-0 in the veterans’ section final. Matambanadzo’s reward was $300 with Simpemba getting $150.
Safeguard Security managing director Warren King presented the players with their prizes.
The tournament started last Friday and ended yesterday.
Online Reporter