Jason Roy-Khalil captures first win for Squash - Persaud sets new national record

Jason Roy-Khalil captures first win for Squash – Persaud sets new national record

Jul 30, 2022 Sports

2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games…

By Sean Devers

At 27, Jason-Roy Khalil made his Commonwealth Games debut with 3-2 win against Paul Kadoma of Uganda on the opening day of the Games in Birmingham, England last evening in the men’s singles.

Jason-Ray Khalil (right) defeated Paul Kadoma of Uganda 3 – 2 in the singles.

That was after Shomari Wiltshire and Jason-Roy’s sister, Ashley Khalil, had lost their first round games to Sri Lankan opponents.

Khalil lost the opening game 12-14 as both players traded shots with lengthy rallies.

Khalil, playing wonderful Squash won the second game 11-9 before losing the third game, 9-11.

Khalil took the last two games, 11-4, 11-9 to take the match 3-2.

After the match, Khalil spoke with Kaieteur Sports. “It is always a great feeling to win, especially being at the Commonwealth Games where there are some of the best players in the world at this event,” said Khalil, who in 2019 created history by winning the Men’s National, while Ashley won the Women’s title at the Georgetown Club in Guyana.

“It is always a privilege to play at such an elite tournament, and to pull off a win is even better. Being my first match of the tournament, some nerves got the better of me but as the match went on they eased and I became more confident in my shot making.”

“My goal for this tournament is to soak in the experience and try and play some of my best squash. Every win at this tournament is a great acknowledgment. So this win is a great start,” said Khalil, who has now moved on to the Round of 32 when he battles Eain Yow from Malaysia.

The fourth member of Guyana’s Squash team, Mary Fung-a-Fat, will be in action for the first time today.

Swimming…

When Olympian Aleka Persaud crossed the line first in the Women’s 100m Butterfly at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, her winning with a time of One Minute, 07.24 (1:07.24s) also represents a new National Record.

Unfortunately, she will not be advancing to the next round. Persaud, competing at her first Commonwealth Games, erased her previous record of 1:08.53s, which she had set at the 2019 CARIFTA Games.

Persaud is not known for the 100m Butterfly, but rather the 50m and 100m Freestyle, which she will compete in at the Commonwealth Games.

Guyana’s female Table Tennis team

The 16-year-old also holds National Record in the women’s 50m Freestyle (27.65s) and the 100m Freestyle record (1:00.69s.).

Paul Mahaica Jr set a new Personal Best in the Men’s 50m Butterfly to finish 6th in his Heats. He swam a time of 26.88s; his entry time was 27.00s. However, he will not advance to the next round.

Table Tennis…

Guyana defeated Fiji 3-0 in their first women’s team event. They will next play South Africa. They’ve also advanced to the Round-of-16. The team will play top-seeded India in their final group game.

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