Fram reports
I love the PSA Media team. They work relentlessly to offer you guys – the readers/fans – and us – the writers/fans – material to analyse, remember, explain and sometimes argue about.
In their latest burst on info, they chose a few “performers of the season“.
And out of those, I allowed myself to pick three that really marked my brain, for completely different reasons. Plus one of my own…. Satomi, Joel, Jonah, Malak.
- First and maybe the most amazing one: Satomi.
Her kindness, incredible respect for her opponents, intelligent squash, her fierce mental and physical energy, balanced with a perfect on-court persona – she was awarded the PSA Spirit Award a few weeks ago, make of her my favourite “new comer” on the top 10 field.
MORE ON SATOMI BY PSA
She is also gracious in defeat as she is in victory, always taking the time to comment her matches.
A true gem.
Satomi Watanabe
Start of season ranking: 13
End of season ranking: 6
What a season it has been for Japan’s Satomi Watanabe. The 26-year-old started the season ranked outside the top ten and with several top players ahead of her, not even Watanabe could have predicted where she would eventually finish the season.
She made history on more than one occasion this season, firstly becoming the first Japanese player ever to reach the quarter finals of the PSA World Championships then becoming the first ever player from her nation to feature at the PSA Squash Tour Finals.
She claimed the Squash in the Land 2025 title and reached two Gold event finals in Silicon Valley and Palm Hills. She currently sits at World No.6, poised to chase down Amina Orfi and Olivia Weaver and claim a place in the top 5.
2. Then my Welsh Golden Tiger, Joel
I noticed Joel years ago. He was probably not the most hand-gifted at the time – he has improved immensly in that department, but his work ethic, his mental grinding, and relentless squash were standing out. I read some stupid comments about him, which made my blood boil, especially as it seemed to come from idiots who worship cheaters. How ironic.
I love Joel. Because he says it as it is. Because he does what needs to be done to correct unfairness when it strikes him. And like a rugby player – you can’t shake the Welsh out of the Squash Player – he just goes for the battle, haka in heart and racquet in hand. Plenty of time for Joel, me.
Joel Makin
Start of season ranking: 9
End of season ranking: 4
Wales’ Joel Makin enjoyed his best season to date on the PSA Squash Tour during the 24/25 campaign, starting the campaign ranked at No.9 in the world, Makin would have initially had his eyes set on cementing a place in the top eight in order to ensure more favourable draws in the major events. He ended the season well inside the top eight and even broke into the next ranking bracket, breaking through the milestone of the world’s top 4.
Makin claimed the biggest title of his career at the Silicon Valley Open in October – a PSA Squash Tour Gold event – catapulting him to World No.6. He then ended the year with a second Platinum semi-final appearance at the Hong Kong Open.
2025 saw Makin reach at least the semi-finals in 6 of his 8 events played, a win at the Pittsburgh Open Silver event was overshadowed by his first ever major event title at the SmartCentres PSA Squash Tour Finals where he moved past Elias and Asal to claim the coveted title.
Now ranked at World No.4, chances to claim more major silverware will surely present themselves for the Welshman next season.
3. My favourite Newcomer – Jonah Bryant
I had followed him online but never saw him live – that I can remember that is – and my first time was at Optasia. Loved him, loved him, loved him. The whole package: the squash, the bulldozer mental approach of squash, the discipline, the attitude.
What’s not to like?
Plus, so nice to see a young English player coming up strong. Tis been a while…
Jonah Bryant
Start of season ranking: 62
End of season ranking: 26
After claiming his first World Events win last season in Dublin, it didn’t take long for one of England’s brightest prospects to score a second as the 24/25 season commenced. The 19-year-old captured the Budapest Open Copper event in September which opened the door for him to compete in bigger events on the PSA Squash Tour all across the globe.
A five game loss to former World Champion Tarek Momen at the start of 2025 showed Bryant in a new light and opened a lot of people’s eyes as to what level he was at and that he was certainly capable of pushing the top players in the world.
This was further illustrated at the Motor City Open, where he lost out to eventual champion Paul Coll in an 85-minute four-set match. Later in the season, he featured in his first World Championships and made his presence felt as he was the only non seeded player to reach the last 16, eventually falling to Momen.
His final event of the season came on familiar territory in Birmingham at the GillenMarkets British Open and he produced arguably the best squash of his life to almost score the upset of the season and defeat World No.1 Mostafa Asal. The Egyptian was on a 19-match unbeaten streak and after Bryant took a 2-1 lead and moved to 9-8 in the fourth game, the upset looked on the cards. Asal fought back to win the match but heads were certainly turned with the performance by Bryant and who knows that level he could reach next season.
4. And the last one… Malak Khafalgy
You might not have seen her play yet. Or even heard about her. But her determination, gritt and on court ethics make her one of the ones to watch in my book.
Keep an eye on her this coming up season…
