Malik’s siblings steal the show at Lagos Squash Classics

Posted : 14 May 2023

Spectators were treated to exciting moments when siblings Curtis and Perry Malik squared up in the men’s semi-final of the 2023 Lagos International Squash Classics in Lagos. To the delight of the spectators, Curtis defeated his younger brother, Perry, to advance to the final, winning 3-0 against Martin Svec of the Czech Republic on Saturday at the Sir Omolade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

Torrie, the third of the Malik troika, also made it to the final in the women’s category, beating Fathy Malik of Egypt 3-0.

But it wasn’t a coincidence that the siblings, who were born in Sussex, England, are professional squash players; they were coached and mentored by their father, Cameron. In an interview, Curtis said defeating his brother by 3-1 in the semi-final was tough because they practically played the same style.

“Playing with my brother in the semi-final was a really special moment. Coming out to Nigeria, we had a good match today,” said Perry.

He said losing to his older brother Curtis in the semi-final was a sad one because he had hoped that he’d make it to the final.

“It’s sad that I lost to him at the semis; perhaps if we never met, I’d have a shot at making it to the final.

" I didn’t give away the match; I wanted to win.

“I played quite well at the start, but he started playing better, and I’m happy for him,” he said.

All seven members of the Malik family play squash, and with Cameron, their father, a retired player now their coach, the Malik dynasty reigns in the squash circuit. Torrie said, “I’m the only girl; I have five brothers."

"Our dad was a player and now a coach, so we got on quite on time, and we are better for it."

"I'm glad I made it to the final, although I feel I didn’t play well enough,” she said. Toughest, while Perry said his match against Kehinde Samuel in the quarterfinal was his toughest.

Curtis described his quarterfinal clash with the number one-ranked player in Nigeria, Onaopemipo Adegoke, as his toughest.

On their perception of Nigeria since their arrival, the Malik trio said that Nigerians were warm and hospitable people, and they hoped to return to participate in future tournaments.

“For me, the people here are so nice and super friendly; you can speak with anyone; I feel so welcome here,” Curtis said.

Curtis also said he hoped to have a family and have children that would love to play squash like him. Curtis joined the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour and reached his first final in 2022.

At the start of 2022, he had reached the world’s top 100 players and won the Holmes Naden Prestbury Squash Open, the Commercial Water Solutions Grange Challenger, and the Colin Payne Kent Open.

Curtis is a three-time National Junior Champion, U-19 European Team Champion, U-19 Dutch Junior Open Champion, and No. 1 in England throughout all junior age groups from U-13 to U-19. Sometime in April 2023, he hit a career-best world ranking (at the time) of 53. He was a member of the England team that won the 2023 European professional squash tournament.

Perry has made the top five ranks in every junior age group, U-11 to U-19, and is the South East Regional Champion, six-time County Champion, and a National College Champion in 2019.

Torrie is a six-time British Junior Champion, European Team Champion U-15, No. 1 in England throughout all junior age groups, U11-U19, and British Junior Open Champion, 2022.

As of November 2022, Torrie was ranked number 83 in the world; she won the 2022 Czech Open, while Perry made it to the semi-final at the Boston Open in 2022.

Malik’s siblings steal the show at Lagos Squash Classics

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