US Open title most memorable yet: Yash Fadte

MARGAO
One of the highlights for Goa in sports in the year gone by has been in an arena not much recognised in the State and country as well. And when one achieves a world title overcoming challenges of infrastructure and competition towards preparation, the accomplishment becomes all the more heraldic.
Winning the US Junior (U-17) Open Squash Championship 2017 held at Yale University, Connecticut, USA in December for the Vasco-based teen squash sensation Yash Fadte may mean the world to him, and for the emblem he represented at the international stage and to his homeland in particular a great pride and honour.
Embellishing his growing cabinet with major titles is not something new for the determined and dedicated 16-year-old. He has won the Junior Nationals twice, won the Hong Kong Junior Open in 2012, won the Pioneer German Junior Open in 2014, won a silver medal for India at the Asian Juniors in 2014, won the Indian Junior Open thrice and won the School Games Championship last year as well.
But for the India no 2 and Asia no 4 squash player at the U-17 level, clinching the US Junior Open title recently is the most memorable yet. "The Open win would be the most satisfying moment in my career because in order to prepare for the tournament I had been training day in, day out for three months. It is not just me, but also my parents who have played a very crucial role. I do not think this (title) would have been possible without their help," the self-effacing squash starlet stated.
Speaking further from overseas, Fadte revealed that he has been going to Mumbai to play at the CCI ahead of the tournament. "Every weekend I went there (CCI) and played against good players at the club. I also do my gym sessions with Malcolm Rodrigues at the Training Room whenever I'm in Goa. Besides, my dad helps me do my solo on the court," revealed Yash, who was ranked no 1 in India, Asia and Europe in 2014 at the U-13 level.
Speaking of his recent tournament title in the USA, he felt being seeded lower than his rivals in his group was a major challenge. "I was ranked number 8 in the tournament, so I played the number 1 rank in our category who is also England number 1 Lewis Anderson defeating him 3-2. In my semi-finals, I played the number 4 ranked in our category, a Canadian-Egyptian, Abdel Rahman Dweek who I defeated 3-2. In the finals, up against the number 2 seed and the number 1 USA player, Ayush Menon, I won 3-1 to clinch the title," Yash said. "I never expected to reach the finals and win the tournament," he added.
"Before getting on court, I did not think a lot about my match. I just thought that if I win today, I will become the first Indian to have ever clinched the U-17 title. That is what kept me pushing in the finals," Yash stated.
Yash says the US title has boosted his confidence a great deal and now he is eagerly looking forward to doing well in his next international assignment -- the British Junior Open Squash Championship which is to be held at Birmingham from January 3-7.