Victor Crouin (green shirt) and Youssef Soliman (white shirt)
In the heart of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the Elanora Squash & Fitness Centre recently hosted The East Coast Squash Academy’s inaugural Clash Of Titans event that will leave an indelible mark on the local Sydney squash community.
The core mission of this event is to celebrate sportsmanship at the very highest level of technical skill and physical excellence. Victor Crouin and Youssef Soliman were fabulous ambassadors with their humility and approachability. They graced the club with their willingness to engage with fans, players and parents, generously and benevolently sharing valuable insights and their hard-earned wisdom making the day truly special.
The festivities began with a comprehensive coaching clinic attended by a diverse group of players, ranging from teenagers to seasoned veterans. Victor and Youssef's unique perspectives, hailing from France and Egypt respectively, added a global flavour to the technical and strategic aspects of squash with two very contrasting styles.
Youssef embodies the majestic artistry of the Egyptian approach to squash with improvisational creativity that often seems to defy the laws of physics. This is only possible because of his solid foundation of physical excellence and technical execution that create the opportunities for him to (eventually) exploit.
Victor is equally creative and entertaining to watch but comes at it from a more scientific approach with surgical execution that is so elegant he makes it look effortless. But don’t be fooled, it’s no less punishing or less entertaining than Youssef’s attacks and counterattacks.
The coaching clinic attendees were exposed to both schools of thought respecting each player’s contributions within a holistic appreciation of our great sport that embraces and encourages improvisation and creativity.
Each clinic participant was provided with a handful of suggestions for improvement they can put into practice right away. But that wasn’t all they got from the clinic… They got to play with each of the professional players, Victor, Youssef and of course our very own local legend and former World #38, Aaron Frankcomb.
We can all stand beyond the glass back wall and think we could give these guys a run for their money, but once you enter their arena, you quickly become another conquered competitor with a slightly wounded ego and newfound respect of their excellence and supremacy.
The core mission of this event is to celebrate sportsmanship at the very highest level of technical skill and physical excellence. Victor Crouin and Youssef Soliman were fabulous ambassadors with their humility and approachability. They graced the club with their willingness to engage with fans, players and parents, generously and benevolently sharing valuable insights and their hard-earned wisdom making the day truly special.
The festivities began with a comprehensive coaching clinic attended by a diverse group of players, ranging from teenagers to seasoned veterans. Victor and Youssef's unique perspectives, hailing from France and Egypt respectively, added a global flavour to the technical and strategic aspects of squash with two very contrasting styles.
Youssef embodies the majestic artistry of the Egyptian approach to squash with improvisational creativity that often seems to defy the laws of physics. This is only possible because of his solid foundation of physical excellence and technical execution that create the opportunities for him to (eventually) exploit.
Victor is equally creative and entertaining to watch but comes at it from a more scientific approach with surgical execution that is so elegant he makes it look effortless. But don’t be fooled, it’s no less punishing or less entertaining than Youssef’s attacks and counterattacks.
The coaching clinic attendees were exposed to both schools of thought respecting each player’s contributions within a holistic appreciation of our great sport that embraces and encourages improvisation and creativity.
Each clinic participant was provided with a handful of suggestions for improvement they can put into practice right away. But that wasn’t all they got from the clinic… They got to play with each of the professional players, Victor, Youssef and of course our very own local legend and former World #38, Aaron Frankcomb.
We can all stand beyond the glass back wall and think we could give these guys a run for their money, but once you enter their arena, you quickly become another conquered competitor with a slightly wounded ego and newfound respect of their excellence and supremacy.
Clash Of Titans spectators engrossed in the captivating on-court action
Following the clinic, a lively meet and greet session allowed fans to interact directly with the pros on a personal level. Dr. Marc Dussault, our esteemed MC, facilitated an engaging and humorous Q&A session; delving into topics such as the players' inspirations to become professional athletes, their career trajectories, toughest opponents and most memorable victories.
Both players brought to the interview a keen sense of humour and banter about their life on the professional PSA tour. Their camaraderie resonated with everyone in attendance, fostering the sense of community and learning at the core of The Elanora Squash & Fitness Centre’s ethos.
Another highlight of the day was the showdown between the pros and our local legends. First up was David Leask's spirited match against Victor. Who knew David had all those tricks up his sleeve? A few of them got past Victor, but not enough to take the game.
Next was Jackson Wylie’s valiant battle with Youssef. Jackson left nothing on the court, giving his all for every single ball in every rally. A magnificent effort against an opponent who was… Just. Too. Good.
Then it was Luke Hillier’s exemplary attempt to rattle Victor with his legendary signature shots that definitely were a tough nut to crack, but it did indeed eventually crack. Victor’s relentless retrievals and technical exactitude were just too much to handle!
Last but not least, we were treated to our local legend: Aaron Frankcomb’s gladiatorial showdown with Youssef. Peppered with significant time violations and questionable serves it was supreme fitness versus boundless heart and passion!
All these accomplished players showcased the passion and skill that define squash at every level of the spectrum. The matches were intense yet filled with moments of sportsmanship, mutual respect and great comedic comebacks that had the crowd in stitches.
David Leask (white shirt) and Victor Crouin (green shirt)
The day’s climax was the main event, the highly anticipated Clash Of Titans: between World #7 Victor Crouin and World #11 Youssef Soliman. It was everything you would expect from two of the most creative players on the professional PSA tour.
Touted as a prelude to the 2024 Australian Open Final, the match started with the customary and very entertaining exhibition shots, routines and improvisations that often defy geometry.
Slowly but surely, the aggressive undertones of these two fierce competitors started to show through the flamboyant shots that got a bit harder, lower, deeper, straighter and more punishing.
It was as though they were peeling an onion with each layer of shots becoming even more severe and more demanding with each successive rally. Just when you thought “That’s it, there can’t be another level beyond this…” There was… And another… And then another!
Unbelievable. You had to see it live and in person to grasp the athleticism, the lightning quick reflexes and diversity of shot options from so many different places on the court. Who thought you could volley an overhead lob off an attacking back wall boast?
The crowd was left in awe and amazement by the magnificence exposed right in front of them by these two supreme athletes at the very top of their game. Youssef clinched the first Titan Title in 4, but it could easily have gone to Victor. There was no daylight between them.
We hope they will repeat this spectacle of excellence in the 2024 Australian Open Final!
Touted as a prelude to the 2024 Australian Open Final, the match started with the customary and very entertaining exhibition shots, routines and improvisations that often defy geometry.
Slowly but surely, the aggressive undertones of these two fierce competitors started to show through the flamboyant shots that got a bit harder, lower, deeper, straighter and more punishing.
It was as though they were peeling an onion with each layer of shots becoming even more severe and more demanding with each successive rally. Just when you thought “That’s it, there can’t be another level beyond this…” There was… And another… And then another!
Unbelievable. You had to see it live and in person to grasp the athleticism, the lightning quick reflexes and diversity of shot options from so many different places on the court. Who thought you could volley an overhead lob off an attacking back wall boast?
The crowd was left in awe and amazement by the magnificence exposed right in front of them by these two supreme athletes at the very top of their game. Youssef clinched the first Titan Title in 4, but it could easily have gone to Victor. There was no daylight between them.
We hope they will repeat this spectacle of excellence in the 2024 Australian Open Final!
Victor Crouin (green shirt) and Youssef Soliman (white shirt)
A special thank you to the organisers and sponsors of the 2024 City Tattersalls Australian Open for making this event possible and our Media and Marketing partner Ultimate Edge Communications for its expertise to help us bring this experience to more people across the Greater Sydney squash community.
To the aspiring young players and more seasoned veterans: Events like this serve as a beacon of inspiration and a reminder of the heights that can be reached through dedication and passion.
We look forward to next year’s Clash Of Titans and hope to see you there!
To the aspiring young players and more seasoned veterans: Events like this serve as a beacon of inspiration and a reminder of the heights that can be reached through dedication and passion.
We look forward to next year’s Clash Of Titans and hope to see you there!
Aaron Frankcomb looking forward to next year's Clash Of Titans
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