NIGERIAN Sodiq Taiwo picked up the top prize at this year's Safeguard Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship after he saw off the challenge of compatriot Olanrewaju Abulrahaman 3-2 in a closely contested final played at Suburbs Squash Club in Bulawayo on Sunday. 

In a match which lasted 86 minutes, Taiwo won 15-13, 9-11, 11-8, 6-11 and 11-7 to claim the first prize of $1000 while Abulrahaman took home $500. Zambian Manda Chilambwe took third place with a 3-0 victory over his fellow countryman Frank Wabo. Chilambwe, a former winner of the tournament went back to Zambia with $250 with $150 given to Wabo.

Eleven year old Ryan Gwidzima, the country’s Under-13 champion won the plate final 3-0 over 16-year old Brighton Nyakabawo. Gwidzima’s reward was $150 and $50 went to Nyakabawo.

Yemisi Olatunji of Nigerian beat Zimbabwean Yvonne Mubure 3-0 in the women’s final. Olatunji walked away with $750 while $500 went Mubure’s way.  Mike Burns and Neil Nesbitt reclaimed the doubles title with a 3-1 triumph over Matthew Mulaji as well as Janeel Giga. Burns and Nesbitt got $500, with the losing finalists getting $300.

Zimbabwean Jeffrey Fenwick came back from two games down to overpower last year’s champion Freddy Chishimba of Zambia 3-2 in the veterans final. Fenwick received $300 and $150 found its way to Chishimba.  

Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane witnessed the men and women’s finalsbut could not present the prizes to the winners as he had to leave before the tournament concluded due to other commitments.

@Mdawini_29