Street kid wins gold in squash

MANILA, Philippines — Ashton Rain Medino hit paydirt in his first international competition, sweeping four matches without dropping a set in bagging the Boys U11 title at the third SEA Junior Squash Championships in Vajiravudh College, Bangkok last Tuesday. Medino, 10, is a Grade 5 student at Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School in San Andres, Manila and is in the Philippine Squash Academy’s developmental pool of players from eight to 14 years old.

“Nag-ikot ang national team outside Rizal Memorial to get street kids para turuan noong 2023 at si Ashton isa sa maraming bata na sumali,” said coach Edgar Balleber. “Nagpakita agad ng potential at ayaw magpatalo sa court sprints. Maganda ang kaniyang coordination. Every day nasa squash court before and after school.” Medino’s father is a tricycle driver along the streets near Rizal.

In Bangkok, Medino emerged the crowd darling as he beat Malaysia’s Bell Balveer Singh, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8, Singapore’s Yi Cheng Chua, 11-4, 11-7, 11-0, Malaysia’s Amzar Mohammed Sharhril, 14-12, 12-10, 12-10 and Malaysia’s top seed Iman Dylan, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8. In the same competition, Christopher Buraga, 18, took the silver in Boys U19 and Iñigo Jordan, 16, finished second in Boys U17. Claiming bronze were Lura Trasmil, 10, in Girls U11 and Aliyah Gannaban, 12, in Girls U13. Other Philippine placers were Carl Carillo fifth in Boys U19, Aerra Relano fifth in Girls U17 and Gabrielle Garcia ninth in Boys U17. The team was coached by former World No. 5 Wee Wern Low of Malaysia and assistant Van-Aero Dalida.

Medino’s victory came at the heels of another gold finish by Filipino squashers Reymark Begornia and David Pelino in jumbo doubles at the 85th Chieng Mai Cup in the Royal Bangkok Sports Club last week. The pair dethroned six-time defending champion Marcus Phua of Singapore and Elvinn Keo of Malaysia, 11-10, 11-10, in the final.

Squash is making a comeback in the SEA Games this December after a leave of absence in the last two editions. The Philippines took a gold, two silvers and two bronzes when squash was last in the SEA Games in 2019. Squash will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.