Quadri Yusuf reaffirmed his status as one of Nigeria’s brightest squash talents after successfully defending both the Under-19 and Senior Men’s titles at the 2026 Prime Atlantic Squash Open, completing a remarkable double for the second consecutive year.
Yusuf overcame rival Shuaib Giwa in two enthralling five-set finals, winning both matches 3-2 to replicate his historic achievement from the 2025 edition of the championship.
The victories highlighted Yusuf’s consistency and resilience as he held off determined challenges from Giwa, who pushed him to the limit in both finals.
Speaking after his triumph, Yusuf described retaining both titles as a greater accomplishment than winning them for the first time.
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“I’m 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.
“What makes this victory more satisfying is seeing how much we have all improved. The level of squash keeps rising every year and that is good for the sport in Nigeria,” he said.
Reflecting on his rivalry with Giwa, Yusuf noted that both players had matured considerably since their fiercely contested encounters in 2025.
“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,” Yusuf added.
Despite falling short in both finals, Giwa remained optimistic about the future, admitting Yusuf was the better player on the day.
“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.
Earlier, Prime Atlantic Group Managing Director Ayo Otuyalo, represented by Marketing, Corporate and Communications Manager Tobiloba Ariyo, praised the growing standard of the tournament.
“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,” he said.
Chairman of the Lagos State Squash Association, Tomi Falase, also commended the players, coaches, referees and sponsors, revealing that the fifth edition of the championship promises to be even bigger.
“The sponsors have just told me that the fifth edition will be bigger and better because of how impressed they are.
“The same boys that were star performers in 2023 are now leading the senior men’s category, which shows tremendous growth. We are grateful to Prime Atlantic for its unwavering support in making this one of Nigeria’s premier squash competitions,” Falase said.
The championship once again showcased the growing depth of Nigerian squash, with Yusuf’s successful title defence underlining his position among the country’s leading players while signalling the bright future of the sport.
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