All-Star Lineup For 2015 AXIS Squash Challenge
Four time World Squash champion Amr Shabana returns to Bermuda next month for the first time since his Endurance World Championships win here in 2007.
The squash megastar will visit the island to take part in the AXIS Squash Challenge and Exhibition from June 17-20 at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association in Devonshire.
In an all-star lineup Shabana the current world number 8 will take on Columbia’s world number 5 Miguel Rodrigues whilst England’s Alison Waters and Sarah Jane Perry, World numbers 3 and 14 respectively complete the billing.
Shabana’s glittering career featured one of his four World title wins here in Bermuda back in 2007.
When asked about his return to the island he said, “It’s a pleasure to be invited back to Bermuda for obvious reasons! I have the best memories of my time there, so looking forward to it”
Shabana’s opponent Miguel Rodrigues has had a stellar 12 months on the World tour reaching the semifinals of the Tournament of Champions in New York and the British Open just last week.
He also won the $70’000 Motor City Open in the US before reaching the semifinals of the Grasshopper Cup in Switzerland. This run of results has seen him become the highest ever World ranked South American at a career high number 5.
The Axis Profession Squash Exhibition will be the culmination of the annual amateur team event which features 16 teams of 4 players playing off throughout the week.
Joining the male stars on the exhibition night of Saturday June 20 will be England national champions of 2014 & 2015 Alison Waters and Sarah Jane Perry.
Perry is in the best form of her career winning the British National Championships in February of this year and following that by winning the $25’000 Granite Open in Toronto taking her to a career high of World number 14.
After a string of high profile tournament this year including the Digicel Bermuda National Championships, Randall & Quilter Legends of Squash and now the AXIS Squash Challenge and Exhibition.
BSRA Director of Squash Patrick Foster explained, “The BSRA has a history of bringing the world’s best players to Bermuda. Going back over the years many of the greats of the game have come and enjoyed this lovely island whilst putting on a great show for the squash community of Bermuda.
“I thought it would be tough to top the sellout Legends event of last month, but now having these four players coming to the island, especially Shabana, everyone is buzzing about the event and squash fever is here again!”
Limited tickets are available only at the BSRA. Visit www.bermudasquash.com for information.
