National junior squash player Deje Dias warmed up for the upcoming Canadian and US Open championships by winning the U-17 category and placing fourth in the U-19 division at the Vita Malta Junior Open squash championship in Trinidad and Tobago last week-end.
The 14-year-old Dias who will compete at the Canadian and US junior Open tournaments next month, competed in the Under-17 and 19 categories in the twin-island republic.
According to a release from the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) Dias, was required to play as much as six matches in one day and showed great stamina dominating the Under-19 preliminary round robin matches to win the group and advance to the tough final round which featured two of the Caribbean’s top Under-19 players in Joshua Pinnard and Justin Gomez.
The Group also included the Caribbean’s number two ranked Under-15 player in Kale Wilson.
“Dias gave a great account of himself against all three players but the high volume of matches eventually took its toll and he ended up placing fourth in this category,” the release stated.
However Dias continued his excellent performance in the preliminary rounds of the U-17 category where he disposed Jean Paul Bones, Grant Pouchet and Daniel Fraser to win his group and advance to the semi-finals.
In the semi-final encounter against Christian Bayne, Dias won in straight games to earn a re-match against Kale Wilson in the final.
This time around, a fresher Dias made no mistake as he shocked the hometown favorite 15/10 15/11 to claim the Under-17 title.
Dias along with several other outstanding junior nationals are being prepared by national coach Carl Ince, for the Canadian and U.S. Junior Opens which will feature some of the world’s top junior players.
Deje Dias’ Complete Results from the Vita Malt Junior Open 2007.
Boys Under 19 Preliminary Round
Deje Dias defeated Luke David 15/8 15/10
Deje Dias defeated Kevin Kent 15/3 15/2
Deje Dias defeated Chad Martin 15/1 15/0
Boys Under 19 Final Round
Deje Dias lost to Justin Gomez 8/15 10/15
Deje Dias lost to Joshua Pinnard 5/15 5/15
Deje Dias lost to Kale Wilson 12/15 15/12 11/15
Boys Under 17 Preliminary Round
Deje Dias defeated Jean Paul Bones 15/5
15/8
Deje Dias defeated Grant Pouchet 15/1
15/3
Deje Dias defeated Daniel Fraser 15/5 15/5
Boys Under 17
Semifinal – Deje Dias defeated Christian
Bayne 15/5 15/8
Final – Deje Dias defeated Kale Wilson
15/10 15/11