Egypt's Amina Orfi has rewritten squash history by winning the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Championships 2026, defeating world number two Nour El-Sherbini in a thrilling five-set final to become the youngest women's world champion.

The 18-year-old Orfi beat compatriot El-Sherbini 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 14-12 in Saturday's final in Giza, Egypt. At 18 years and 10 months, she is not only the youngest women's champion but also the first player to hold both world junior and senior PSA championship titles simultaneously.

“I'm speechless,” Orfi said after securing her 12th PSA title. “I worked so hard to get here and had so many tough losses this season.”

Orfi denied the 31-year-old El-Sherbini her ninth world title. The final produced the eighth-longest women's match of all time and the second-longest women's PSA World Championships final.

El-Sherbini took the first game easily, but the teenager controlled the next two games. The eight-time champion forced a decider by winning the fourth game, but Orfi prevailed in a tense fifth game with repeated tie-breaks, clinching victory with a powerful backhand.

In the semifinals, Orfi overcame top-ranked Hania El-Hammamy in four sets. “I knew there was going to be pressure on both of them... I had the least pressure, and I went for it,” Orfi said.

In the men's event, defending champion Mostafa Asal claimed his second world title by thrashing seventh-seeded Youssef Ibrahim 11-4, 11-1, 12-10. “It feels amazing to win the world championships in front of your family and friends,” the 25-year-old Egyptian said.

Source: www.aljazeera.com