Kodagu Native Joshna Chinappa Proves Age is Just a Number With Japan Open Triumph
- Kodagu Express Bureau
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Chennai: At 39, when most athletes hang up their boots or switch to coaching, India’s evergreen squash star Joshna Chinappa continues to defy time and expectations. On Monday, the Koadgu native player clinched her first PSA Challenger title in a decade and her 11th Tour title overall with a spirited win at the Japan Open in Yokohama.
In the final, Joshna defeated Egypt’s Haya Ali, the tournament’s third seed, 11-5, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8 in just 38 minutes, showcasing the same intensity and flair that once took her to a career-high world ranking of No. 10. Her path to the title wasn’t easy; she had earlier beaten another Egyptian, Rana Ismail, in straight games in the semifinals.
What makes this victory particularly remarkable is the context. Joshna entered the tournament not expecting to win, she admitted in an interview with The Times of India. “For many years, I’ve been playing only big tournaments. But with my ranking being very different today, I had to play these smaller ones. The competition was incredibly high, and I knew it was going to be tough,” she said. “But once I started, I felt good, fit, and healthy. I thought maybe I could really do this.”
Currently ranked 87th in the world, Joshna’s resurgence into the top 100 comes after a long, testing phase in her career. For an athlete in her late 30s, the physical and mental toll of professional sport can be daunting. “Some days I’m like, age is just a number, and on some days I go: ‘My God, age is age!’ Recovery slows down a little, and my body is constantly trying to catch up with my hunger and drive,” she said with a laugh, according to the TOI report.
Yet, Joshna’s performance in Yokohama stands as a testament to endurance, discipline, and passion. Competing against younger, faster opponents, she proved that experience and self-belief can still triumph on court.
To advertise on The Kodagu Express website, kindly call us at 9108795369 or mail us at thekodaguexpress@gmail.com
Join The Kodagu Express WhatsApp Group: CLICK HERE
Follow us on Instagram and X(Twitter)
Comments