TOP JUNIOR. Filipino squash player Christopher Buraga competes in the Boys' Under-17 semifinal of the 7th Borneo Junior Open at the Squash Racquets Association of Sarawak courts on Saturday (July 15, 2023). He lost to Malaysian Altamis Aqhar Sallam A Sufian, 13-11, 6-11, 9-11, 7-11. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Malaysian Altamis Aqhar Sallam A Sufian ended the hopes of Filipino Christopher Buraga in the 7th Borneo Junior Open Boys' Under-17 squash tournament semifinal at the Squash Racquets Association of Sarawak courts on Saturday night.
Sufian of Bukit Jalil Sports School survived losing the opening set to prevail, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7, after a 40-minute duel.
"It was a tough match. I did my best but he played better," the 16-year-old Buraga said in an online interview on Sunday.
He also lost to Sufian, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 10-12, 9-11, in the battle for 11th place at the 19th Penang Junior Open in Georgetown, Malaysia in June.
Buraga, ranked No. 10 in the Asian Squash Federation U-17 category, will face another Malaysian, Aqil Mirza Naim bin Khairil Fariz, for the bronze medal.
Fariz bowed to compatriot Addin Iqwan of Terengganu state, 4-11, 9-11, 9-11, in the other semifinal match.
The 7th Borneo Junior Open is a gold event in the Asian Junior Super Series. (PNA)
