Aaron Liang wins maiden National Championships

It was third time lucky for Aaron Liang as he clinched his first National Title at the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Championships, overcoming Jerome Aw in a tightly contested men’s final: 7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-4.

Liang, runner-up in 2021 and 2022, finally broke through after a gruelling 62-minute battle. Both players displayed remarkable athleticism and grit in the early stages, with the first three games going down to the wire. After losing the first, Liang bounced back and edged past Jerome during the pivotal third game’s tie break, before sealing the match with a dominant run in the fourth.

“After six years of pursuing this, I finally achieved the title I’ve been dreaming of since I joined the National Junior team at 14. Back then, I looked up to the champions before me and wondered if I could ever stand where they stood. To finally do it today is truly a dream come true”, Liang said when asked what this meant to him.

Liang’s reaction after the winning point clearly displayed how much the title truly meant to him as he sunk on his knees emotionally.

“I found myself at the brink of losing many times throughout the match. But when it was over, the emotions just poured out. The relief, the joy, the years of hard work, it all hit me at once”.

The victory capped off a memorable weekend for Liang, who had ousted eight-time national champion Samuel Kang in straight games during the semi-finals — a sweet redemption after falling to Kang in his previous two final appearances. Aw had reached the final by defeating Regan Tan in straight games. On his win against the eight-time National Champion the evening before, Aron shared, “I had lost two national finals to him (Samuel Kang) before, and he’s someone I’ve always admired for his work ethic and discipline. To overcome that challenge and win against a senior I respect so deeply made this victory even more meaningful”.

In the women’s final, Au Yeong Wai Yhann reaffirmed her supremacy with a straight-game victory over 17-year-old Ong Zhe Sim, capturing her eighth consecutive national title. The 26-year-old spexScholar showed her class and composure throughout, particularly in the closing stages of a tight first game and a comeback in the third, where she saved game ball to win 12-10.

“I’m really pleased to win another national title. It’s always a pleasure playing at home and feels extra special winning in front of my family.

“The competition is getting tougher each year – but it’s great to see the juniors playing at such a high level and making lots of improvements year on year. I only hope for it to get more competitive in the future!” Wai Yhann said when asked about her win.

Earlier in the semi-finals, Wai Yhann had been tested by 15-year-old Naisha Singh, prevailing 3-1, while Zhe Sim edged out Wai Yhann’s younger sister, Au Yeong Wai Iynn, in a five-game thriller to deny an all-sibling final.

Results – Finals and Semifinals

Men’s Open

FINAL : [3/4] Aaron Liang bt [1] Jerome Aw 7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-4 (62m)

SEMIS : [1] Jerome Aw bt [5/8] Regan Tan 11-9, 11-1, 11-3

SEMIS : [3/4] Aaron Liang bt [2] Samuel Kang 11-9, 14-12, 11-7

Women’s Open

FINAL : [1] Au Yeong Wai Yhann bt [2] Ong Zhe Sim 11-8, 11-4, 12-10 (27m)

SEMIS : [1] Au Yeong Wai Yhann bt [3/4] Naisha Singh 11-1, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6

SEMIS : [2] Ong Zhe Sim bt [3/4] Au Yeong Wai Iynn 11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 7-11, 13-11

Full results can be found at this link.