KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11: Kuwaiti squash prodigy Abdullah Hani secured the championship title in the under-15 category at the Malaysian Asian Open Championship.

In a thrilling match against Malaysian contender Ravi Kumar, Hani emerged victorious with a 3-1 score, captivating a sizable crowd that strongly supported the local player. Despite the spirited performance from Kumar, Abdullah Hani demonstrated remarkable control over the game, clinching the decisive fourth set with a score of 9-11. This triumph placed the Kuwaiti national squash player at the pinnacle of the podium, outshining a field of 121 competitors.

In a separate category, young talent Salman Al-Saleh, sporting the blue colors, achieved an impressive sixth place among 94 participants in the 11-year-old bracket, marking a positive outcome for Al-Saleh.

The delegation, led by Mishaal Al-Sharqawi, included technical director Ashraf Al-Karaji and coach Ahmed Abdel-Aal Al-Sebaei. The Kuwaiti team, comprising six players, showcased commendable performances across various categories. Technical director Al-Karaji lauded the players' elevated technical prowess and acknowledged their increased international experience, anticipating improved rankings in upcoming tournaments for Kuwaiti players on the global stage.