Quadri Yusuf produced a commanding display of consistency and nerve to retain both the Under-19 and Senior Men’s titles at the Prime Atlantic Squash Tournament for the second consecutive year, defeating Giwa in two gripping five-set finals to complete a remarkable double that underlined his status as the outstanding talent in Nigerian squash, Sunday PUNCH reports.
Yusuf won both encounters 3-2, repeating the identical scoreline he achieved against the same opponent during the 2025 edition of the tournament, a feat that speaks as much to the resilience of the competition as it does to the champion’s quality.
Defending champion Rofiat Abdulazeez also retained her Senior Women’s title with a more commanding 3-0 victory over Misturah Durosinlorun, while Loveth Balogun claimed the Women’s Under-19 crown with a 3-2 victory over Zainab Ishola in a closely fought final.
Yusuf said defending both titles had proven more demanding than winning them the first time, a reality he felt throughout two taxing finals against an opponent who pushed him to his absolute limit.
“I am very happy to win both categories again. It shows that the hard work and sacrifices throughout the year have paid off. Winning once can be difficult, but defending the titles is even harder because everyone wants to beat you. Giwa pushed me to my limits in both finals and I had to stay focused from beginning to end,” he said.
Reflecting on the evolution of his rivalry with Giwa, Yusuf noted a marked shift in the character of their contests compared with their meetings a year ago.
“Last year was like a battlefield. We were younger and more emotional. This year, we showed more maturity, respect and composure on the court. We both understand the game better now. We fought hard for every point, but we remained professional throughout. I think that is a positive sign for Nigerian squash,” he said.
Giwa, gracious in defeat, acknowledged that his opponent deserved the victories while insisting the experience of reaching two finals had reinforced his belief in his own development.
“It hurts to lose both finals after coming so close. I gave everything I had and unfortunately it was not enough. However, I will take the positives from this experience. Playing in two finals has shown me that I am improving and I believe my time will come. I congratulate Yusuf and I will continue working hard,” he said.
Abdulazeez, whose 3-0 triumph in the Senior Women’s final was the most comprehensive of the day’s showpiece matches, credited a disciplined game plan and a refusal to underestimate any opponent for her successful title defence.
“I am delighted to defend my title. Every tournament comes with pressure, especially when you are the defending champion. I stayed focused on my game plan and tried not to underestimate any opponent. Winning this title again means a lot to me and motivates me to keep improving,” she said.
Group Managing Director of Prime Atlantic, Ayo Otuyalo, represented at the event by Marketing and Corporate Manager Tobiloba Ariyo, praised the standard of competition and the continued growth of the tournament since its inception.
“The quality of matches we have witnessed this year has been exceptional. Every edition of the tournament seems to surpass the previous one. We are proud to support a competition that continues to discover talents, develop players and contribute to the growth of squash in Nigeria. The level of competitiveness and sportsmanship displayed throughout the tournament gives us confidence that the future of Nigerian squash is bright,” Otuyalo said.
Lagos State Squash Association chairman Tomi Falase also commended all stakeholders for their contributions, noting that the same players who made an impression in the early editions of the tournament were now winning senior titles, a sign of genuine long-term development.
“The sponsor has just told me that the fifth edition will be bigger and better because of how impressed he is. The same boys that were star performers in 2023 are the stars of today, and that shows growth. I must applaud all the players for their dedication and excellent performances throughout the tournament. We are also grateful to Prime Atlantic for its unwavering support. Their commitment has been instrumental in making this tournament one of the most important squash competitions in the country,” Falase said.
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