The Papua New Guinea Squash Rackets Federation (PNGSRF) celebrates the outstanding achievements of its junior athletes at the prestigious Australian Juniors Open (AJO) and the Oceania Junior Championships (OJC) held in Melbourne, Australia.
In a field of nearly 300 juniors hailing from various continents including Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, North America, and the South Pacific, the PNG contingent showcased remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournaments.
At the Australian Junior Open, held from Monday, April 8th to Thursday, April 11th, Ethan Kriebisch, competing in the U11 Boys category at the age of 10, demonstrated his prowess by securing the 9th position in his second appearance at the event.
Meanwhile, Timonaliz Alarcos Kriebisch, competing in the U13 Girls category at the age of 11, claimed an impressive 6th place in her second consecutive AJO participation.
Additionally, Gabriella Cox, making her debut at the AJO, exhibited promising talent by finishing 21st in the U17 Girls category.
Transitioning to the Oceania Junior Championships from Friday, April 12th to Sunday, April 14th, the PNG juniors continued to excel on the international stage.
Ethan Kriebisch, participating in his third OJC, replicated his performance from the AJO by securing the 9th position in the U11 Boys category.
Timonaliz Alarcos Kriebisch, also competing in her third OJC, elevated her performance further by clinching the 4th position in the U13 Girls category, marking a significant achievement.
Additionally, Gabriella Cox, making her debut at the OJC, impressed with a 20th place finish in the U17 Girls category.
Reflecting on the success of the PNG junior squash team, Lady Anna Togolo, representing Papua New Guinea Squash Rackets Federation, expressed enthusiasm about the invaluable experience gained by the athletes from participating in elite competitions such as the AJO and OJC.
“The experience gained from attending these elite competitions is part of our long-term strategy to take podium positions at the 2027 Tahiti Pacific Games”.
She stressed that these experiences are essential to the federation’s long-term plan to qualify for the Tahiti Pacific Games podium in 2027.