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Amina Orfi lifts the Qatar Classic trophy after defeating Hania El Hammamy in a dramatic five-game final. (Images: Google)
Doha: Egyptian squash star Amina Orfi has officially become the youngest-ever women’s world No. 1, reaching the summit of the PSA rankings at just 19 years and two months. Orfi secured the historic milestone after defeating compatriot and then-world No. 1 Hania El Hammamy in a gripping five-game Qatar Classic final in Doha. The 107-minute contest ended 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 7-11, 12-10 in Orfi’s favour.
Orfi’s achievement broke a record that had remained untouched for more than four decades. New Zealand squash great Susan Devoy previously held the record after becoming world No. 1 at 20 years and two months in 1984. Orfi has now taken the record at exactly one year younger.
The Qatar Classic final was a battle between two Egyptian players competing for both the tournament title and the world No. 1 ranking. Orfi recovered after losing the opening game before moving ahead 2-1. El Hammamy fought back to force a deciding fifth game, but Orfi eventually prevailed 12-10.
The victory gave Orfi her first Qatar Classic title and first Platinum-level title, taking her professional career tally to 15 victories.
The world No. 1 achievement adds to what has already been a landmark year for Orfi. In May, she became the youngest women’s world champion in squash history at 18 years and 10 months. She defeated fellow Egyptian and eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini in a five-game final in Giza.
That victory also made Orfi the first player to simultaneously hold the PSA World Junior Championship and senior World Championship titles.
Orfi’s rise has been rapid. She has established herself among the leading players on the PSA circuit and has now reached the highest position in the women’s rankings.
Her latest achievement comes only months after her breakthrough world championship victory, underlining the speed of her progression at the highest level of the sport.
Following her Qatar Classic triumph, Orfi said becoming world champion and world No. 1 in the same year had been a dream since childhood. She also said she wants to maintain her position at the top, continue improving and add more titles to her career.
The latest milestone puts the 19-year-old at the centre of the women’s squash scene as the sport builds towards its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
