Surrey siblings gearing up for prestigious sporting event celebrating centenary year
Birmingham is gearing up to host the 100th edition of the British Junior Open, featuring over 700 players from across the globe.
The 2026 Alpha Bravo Construction British Junior Open takes places from 2-6 January and will feature players from more than 50 nations. The tournament is one of the world’s most prestigious junior squash events and has now become synonymous with the city.
Brother and sister, Gabriel and Esther Chak, from Surrey, are both travelling to the West Midlands to take part in the centenary edition of the competition. Esther is seeded 9/16 in the Girls Under 15 age group while Gabriel has been ranked 5/8 in the Boys Under 17 category.
Gabriel will face tough home opposition, with two other Brits seeded at his level, while the top seeds hail from Egypt, India and USA. He represented England at U17 level earlier in 2025, winning the decider at the European mixed team Championship.
Esther, meanwhile, has managed to outperform her seeding several times at the Open, and will be hoping to repeat that feat in this year’s anniversary event. Both siblings were crowned champions in their respective categories at the British Junior Championships last month so are in fine form.
Alongside the action at the 2026 Alpha Bravo Construction British Junior Open, an exhibition match is being held between two former winners on the opening day at the all-glass court at the University of Birmingham.
England’s Jonah Bryant, who has recently moved into professional squash, will take on Malaysia’s Eain Yow, who is currently ranked 17th in the world. Both have enjoyed impressive starts to their senior careers and come into this clash in top form.
Five venues will host matches, with Stourbridge Lawn Tennis and Squash Club joining the returning University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness, Edgbaston Priory Club, West Warwickshire Sports Complex and Sutton Coldfield Squash Club.
England Squash CEO, Mark Williams, believes the centenary event is an important tournament for both future careers and celebrating its historic status. He said:“For 100 years, the BJO has provided a stage where future legends are born, and this year’s centenary edition promises to be the most exciting yet.
“We’re proud to welcome the world’s best young squash players to Birmingham for what will be a truly historic event full of top-class competition, unforgettable moments and global camaraderie.
“This is more than just a tournament; it’s a celebration of a legacy that has shaped the sport for generations.”
England Squash recently announced Alpha Bravo Construction as the official Title Sponsor until 2029, beginning with this year’s centenary competition. It is the ninth year in a row the event has been held in Birmingham.
For more information, including how to watch the event live, visit: www.britishjunioropen.com.