Mohamed Elshorbagy beats his brother to win World Squash Championships title

On Sunday, Egyptian Mohamed Elshorbagy, 26, defeated his brother Marwan, 24, to claim his first World Squash Championship title in Manchester. Mohamed, who had previously lost two world finals to compatriot Ramy Ashour, overpowered his younger sibling 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 9-11 and 11-6.

This was the first ever final between two brothers in the 41-year history of the World Squash Championships. “I was in shock when Marwan won his match last night,” Mohamed said after the match. “I was lying in bed for hours thinking I have to beat my brother to win the world title. It was not a nice feeling at all,” he said.

At the beginning of the match, Mohamed was a clear favorite to take the final. Rapidly he achieved a 6-1 lead. A few brilliant moves by Marwan helped him reach 7-4. However, the first game ended with an 11-5 victory for the older sibling. The younger brother started strongly in the second game, and despite a couple of argumentative moments between him and the Welsh referee, Roy Gingell, Marwan claimed the second game 11-9. The third game went for Mohamed, who achieved 11 points against his brother’s seven. In the opening of the fourth game, the crowd began to predict a five-game final, as Marwan raced to achieve an early 6-2 lead. Eventually, the 24-year-old took the fourth game 11-9.

At the beginning of the fifth and final game, the younger brother looked fatigued compared to Mohamed. Marwan committed a series of mistakes that lead the opening to a 3-1 advantage for Mohamed. However, the fifth game became incredibly exciting as Marwan rallied to tie the game 6-6. In the end, the older brother managed to score five consecutive points to win the fifth game and the championship.

“I waited a long time for this moment and it was such a hard feeling,” Mohamed said after his 71-minute victory. “It is something we must share for the rest of our lives, although maybe both of us will not enjoy it,” he said. After 31 matches with only one defeat, it’s likely that Mohamed, who is currently World’s number 3, will reach the top of the rankings.