Jakob Noblett-Diaz and Delilah Pease delivered commendable performances at the British Junior Open (BJO) in Birmingham, UK, held from January 2-6, marking another milestone in their squash careers.
Competing against the best junior players in the world, the BVI duo showcased their potential and growth in one of the most prestigious tournaments on the global squash calendar.
Delilah Pease, competing in the Girls U11 category, significantly improved on her previous year’s performance. After finishing 28th in her BJO debut, the current Caribbean and Canadian Junior Champion climbed to an impressive 19th place this year. Despite a narrow loss in the first round to England’s No. 1, Delilah bounced back to win three of her next four matches, cementing her place among the world’s elite junior players.
In the Boys U13 category, Jakob Noblett-Diaz also made a strong impression in his BJO debut. Facing top talent from Canada, Poland, China, and Japan, Jakob secured one victory in four matches, finishing 57th overall. His performance against such high-calibre opponents provided valuable experience and a benchmark for his development.
BVI National Head Coach Adam Murrills accompanied the young athletes to the tournament, providing guidance and support during their matches. Reflecting on their performances, Murrills highlighted the importance of competing at such high-level international competitions and spoke about Jakob’s overall experience.
Coach Murrills also commended the duo’s adaptability and improvement throughout the event and spoke on Delilah’s growth throughout the tournament.
Both Jakob and Delilah will now turn their focus to the upcoming Junior National Championships in February, where they will have another opportunity to showcase their growth and skills.
With their continued dedication and the guidance of Coach Murrills, the future looks bright for these young BVI squash stars.