Yusuf wins Prime Atlantic Squash titles again

Quadri Yusuf showed great skill and determination to keep both the Under-19 and Senior Men’s titles at the Prime Atlantic Squash Tournament for the second year in a row. He defeated Giwa in two exciting five-set finals. This win highlights his talent in Nigerian squash, according to Sunday PUNCH.

Yusuf won both matches 3-2, matching the score he had against Giwa in the 2025 tournament. This shows how tough the competition is, as well as Yusuf’s talent.

Rofiat Abdulazeez also defended her Senior Women’s title, winning against Misturah Durosinlorun with a solid 3-0 score. Loveth Balogun took the Women’s Under-19 title after a close 3-2 match against Zainab Ishola.

Yusuf mentioned that defending his titles was tougher than winning them the first time. He felt the pressure during the two challenging finals against an opponent who really pushed him.

“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.

Talking about his rivalry with Giwa, Yusuf noticed a change in how they played compared to last year.

“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 accepted his loss gracefully. He said Yusuf deserved the wins and that reaching two finals helped him see his own growth.

“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, who won 3-0 in the Senior Women’s final, praised her strategy and not underestimating any opponent.

“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.

Ayo Otuyalo, the Group Managing Director of Prime Atlantic, was represented at the event by Marketing and Corporate Manager Tobiloba Ariyo. He praised the competition and how the tournament has grown since it started.

“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.

Tomi Falase, chairman of the Lagos State Squash Association, also praised everyone involved. He noted that the players who impressed in earlier editions are now winning senior titles, showing real long-term growth.

“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.