Joel Makin Claims HKFC Squash Open 2025 Title in Hong Kong

In a week marked by both world-class squash and sombre reflection due to the tragic events in Hong Kong over the past few days, the HKFC Squash Open 2025 concluded with a standout performance from Karakal-sponsored athlete Joel Makin. The World No.5 delivered a commanding display to lift the Men’s Silver-Level title, reinforcing his position as one of the most consistent and physically dominant players on the PSA World Tour.

A Relentless Performance from the Golden Tiger
Facing Egypt’s Youssef Ibrahim for the fourth time this year, Joel stepped onto court with purpose. Their recent encounters have produced some of the most physically demanding battles of the season, and the final proved no different.

From the outset, Joel imposed his trademark intensity-structured, disciplined squash powered by Karakal precision. Building early leads in both the first and second games, he absorbed Ibrahim’s aggression while maintaining remarkable control of the pace and the middle of the court.

Although Youssef struck back in the third, Joel reasserted dominance in the fourth, accelerating away to secure the title 3–1 in 77 minutes of high-octane squash.

After the match, Makin reflected on the rivalry and the week as a whole:

“It’s the 10th or 11th time we’ve played. It’s always very explosive and physical and tonight was no different… I’ve enjoyed being here this week, the club and the atmosphere have been great. I’ll be back for sure next year if it’s on.”

For Karakal, Joel’s victory is yet another reminder of the dedication, focus, and resilience that define our professional #KarakalKrew athletes. His continued success at major international events demonstrates both his world-class work ethic and the reliability of Karakal’s elite performance equipment on the biggest stages.

Looking Ahead: Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2025
There’s little time to rest for the new champion. Both Makin and fellow winner Fayrouz Aboelkheir will head straight into the Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open (1–7 December), another key stop on the PSA World Tour, broadcast live on SQUASHTV.

With back-to-back events and intense travel demands, Joel will once again rely on Karakal technology and his own conditioning principles to stay sharp for another week of world-class competition.

A Remarkable Women’s Final
The women’s final also delivered a standout storyline. 18-year-old Egyptian star Fayrouz Aboelkheir captured the women’s title with a career-defining win over top seed Sivasangari Subramaniam.

A Thought for Hong Kong
Amid the excitement of the tournament, the Karakal team would also like to express our heartfelt sympathy to everyone affected by the tragic events in Hong Kong this week. The city is an important home for squash in Asia, and its spirit, resilience, and love for the sport have always been felt by players, fans, and the global squash family. Our thoughts are with the community during this difficult time.