To protect the integrity of the competition while allowing participation US Squash implemented a newly adopted policy. Where reasonable concern existed, affected players were permitted to compete only in the age group in which they are ranked domestically and/or most recently competed at their National Championships. No player was banned or disqualified, and all affected athletes remained eligible to compete. Age-category adjustments were applied solely to maintain fairness for all participants and do not change World Squash Federation (WSF) regulations.
US Squash is fully committed to fairness, transparency, and athlete welfare in local, national and international competitions. In lead up to the 2025 U.S. Junior Open, concerns were raised regarding the age eligibility of a small group of international junior players. These concerns were based on documentation, domestic competition histories, and international ranking patterns that suggested potential discrepancies in reported ages.
Over several weeks, US Squash conducted a thorough review in close consultation with the WSF and England Squash (ES). US Squash requested and examined supplemental documentation from the players and their national federation, reviewed competition histories, and sought guidance from other national and international sports organizations on how to address age verification when documentation systems vary. Medical age testing was considered, however its use rejected due to ethical concerns, lack of IOC endorsement, and recognized inaccuracies for minors.
The review identified system-level challenges that made it impossible to determine chronological age with certainty in some cases. These included delays in birth registration, the possibility of conflicting or duplicate documents, and domestic competition patterns that were inconsistent with reported ages. Importantly, this review did not reflect on the character, integrity, or intentions of any individual athlete, family, or federation.
Decisions were communicated in advance of seeding and scheduling deadlines to ensure the event could proceed smoothly and fairly for all athletes. This approach was developed jointly with WSF and ES to provide a consistent, neutral, and verifiable solution to this challenge. As a result, some players ultimately elected to withdraw from the competition.
US Squash’s priority remains the integrity of the competition, the welfare of all junior athletes, and maintaining a level playing field. Following the 2025 U.S. Junior Open and British Junior Open, US Squash will continue to collaborate with WSF and national federations in an effort to develop globally consistent processes for age verification in junior squash, ensuring fairness and clarity for future tournaments.
