Egypt’s rising squash star Amina Orfi didn’t just win the 2026 PSA World Championships—she redefined what’s possible in the sport. The 18-year-old toppled world number two Nour El-Sherbini in a five-set thriller Saturday night in Giza, Egypt, ending El-Sherbini’s streak of dominance and etching her name into squash history as the youngest women’s world champion ever. The final stretched nearly two hours, making it the second-longest women’s PSA World Championships final on record. Orfi finished it with a score of 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 14-12, a nail-biter that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final point. “I’m speechless,” Orfi told reporters after the match. “I worked so hard to get here and had so many tough losses this season.” She now boasts 12 PSA titles, including her first world championship. The win also makes her the first player—man or woman—to hold both the junior and senior PSA world titles simultaneously. El-Sherbini, 31, was aiming for her ninth world title, a record she’s held since winning her first at 20 in 2015. But Orfi had other plans. Their final became the eighth-longest women’s squash match ever recorded, a grueling battle that tested both players’ endurance and mental toughness. The fifth set alone lasted 22 minutes, with Orfi clawing back from deficits to secure the championship. ## Orfi’s rise: from junior champ to world-beater Orfi’s journey to the top wasn’t smooth. She entered the tournament ranked 16th in the world, facing five top-10 players along the way. Her quarterfinal win over fourth-ranked Hania El Hammamy set up a semifinal clash with top seed Nouran Gohar, which she won 11-8, 11-5, 11-7. That victory sent shockwaves through the squash world, proving she belonged among the elite. El-Sherbini, a four-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist, had dominated women’s squash for nearly a decade. But Orfi’s speed, precision, and relentless energy disrupted the veteran’s rhythm. The final breakdown shows how Orfi turned the match in her favor: after dropping the first game, she rallied to win the next two, then lost the fourth before sealing the fifth with a 14-12 finish. ## What this win means for squash and Egypt Squash is a massive sport in Egypt, producing legends like Amr Shabana and Ramy Ashour. Orfi’s victory isn’t just personal—it’s a generational shift. At 18, she’s now the face of Egyptian squash’s future, joining a lineage of champions who’ve kept the country at the top of the sport for decades. Her win also highlights the growing competitiveness in women’s squash. El-Sherbini’s loss marks the first time she’s failed to win the world title since 2016, ending a 10-year streak of dominance. The match exposed cracks in her armor, particularly in her serve and movement late in games. ## The next chapter for Orfi and squash Orfi’s next target? Breaking the all-time record for most PSA titles before turning 20. She’s already halfway there with 12 titles, and her confidence is soaring. “I feel like I can beat anyone right now,” she said. For El-Sherbini, the loss stings but isn’t the end. At 31, she’s still one of the fittest players on tour and could make a strong comeback in future tournaments. Either way, squash fans can expect more fireworks. The sport’s governing body, the Professional Squash Association, plans to expand its global reach, and Orfi’s star power will play a key role in that push. ## How fans reacted to the historic win Social media erupted after Orfi’s victory. Egyptians celebrated their new champion with trending hashtags and memes, while international fans marveled at her composure under pressure. One commentator called it “the most dominant performance by a teenager in squash history.” The win also sparked conversations about the future of women’s squash, with many predicting a new era of rivalry between Orfi and the next generation of players. Whatever happens next, one thing’s clear: squash just got a lot more exciting.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Al Jazeera
  • Published: May 17, 2026 at 09:44 UTC
  • Category: World
  • Topics: #aljazeera · #world-news · #middle-east · #egyptian · #amina-orfi · #sherbini

Read the Full Story

This is a curated summary. For the complete article, original data, quotes and full analysis:

Read the full story on Al Jazeera →

All reporting rights belong to the respective author(s) at Al Jazeera. GlobalBR News summarizes publicly available content to help readers discover the most relevant global news.

Curated by GlobalBR News · May 17, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Aos 18 anos, a egípcia Amina Orfi entrou para a história do squash ao derrotar Nour El-Sherbini em uma emocionante final de cinco sets no Campeonato Mundial de Squash Feminino, realizado no Egito. A vitória da jovem promessa, em sua própria casa, não só consagrou Orfi como a campeã mundial mais jovem da modalidade, como também selou um marco inédito no esporte, tradicionalmente dominado por atletas experientes.

O feito de Orfi ressoa além das quadras de squash, especialmente no Brasil, onde a modalidade ainda busca se popularizar entre o público. Embora o país não seja uma potência no esporte, a conquista da egípcia pode inspirar novos olhares para o squash, que exige agilidade, estratégia e disciplina — habilidades valorizadas em diversas práticas esportivas. Além disso, a vitória de uma atleta árabe em um esporte de elite reforça discussões sobre representatividade e quebra de estereótipos no universo esportivo global, temas que também ecoam na mídia brasileira.

Com o título mundial nas mãos, Orfi abre caminho para uma nova geração de craques, enquanto o Egito, já tradicional no squash, comemora mais uma vez o protagonismo de suas atletas.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

Amina Orfi, de solo 18 años, acaba de escribir su nombre en la historia del deporte al arrebatarle a Nour El-Sherbini el título mundial de squash en un emocionante partido a cinco sets celebrado en Giza, consolidándose como la campeona más joven en la categoría femenina.

Este hito no solo refuerza el dominio egipcio en el squash mundial —un deporte con gran arraigo en el mundo árabe—, sino que también abre una nueva era para las jóvenes promesas de la región. Con una generación emergente liderada por figuras como Orfi, el deporte egipcio sigue demostrando su capacidad para nutrir talentos excepcionales, inspirando a futuras deportistas hispanas a romper barreras en disciplinas donde la excelencia técnica y mental es clave.