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[Ahmed Barada summary and statistics]

Photos: © 2001 Debra Tessier, squashphotos.com ,Ron Beck

By Ron Beck, with info from Don Goodwin, 4-2001

Egypt's long-awaited return to the contre-stage of world squash was led by the brilliant young Ahmed Barada through the late 1990's.

As rapidly as he ascended, Barada completely disappeard from sight in 2001. The disappearance is chronicled in the April GALLERY.

Barada is a totally exciting player who has cat-like court coverage and the self-confidence to shoot at any time, from any court position. His attacking style, though, occasionally failed him at critical junctures. Barada was constantly under pressure to ascend, especially when playing before home crowds, where he enjoyed the notoriety of a movie star.

He first appeared at #253 in the PSA World Rankings In September 1992 as a 15-year-old, moving into the top 100 at 78 in July 1993. It was in January 1995 that he broke into the top 50, at No. 35, and eighteen months later he earned his position in the top 20, jumping 15 places to No. 14 in July 1996. His top ten debut came in January 1997, at No. 7, and he maintained his position in the top ten into 1999, reaching his career-best No. 2 position in December 1998.

Despite winning four British Junior Open titles from 1991-1994, adding also the World Junior Open title in 1994, it was in May 1996 that the teenage Barada truly became a star. Before thousands of supporters and millions of Egyptian TV viewers, he rode a wave of talent and determination during Cairo's inaugural Al-Abram International Championship to become the first wildcard player ever to reach the final of a PSA Super Series event.

On a dramatic stage over four nights against a backdrop of illuminated pyramids and the desert sands of Giza, his effort defied all expectations.

He and Jonathon Power met in the final of the 1999 Tournament of Champions. Barada crafted a 2-1 lead but Power raised his level of play again and sent the match to a fifth game. It was 9/5 and 13/11 in the fifth game for Barada before Power ultimately won 15/13 in a match that lasted 90 minutes. Barada confirmed that he had been happy with his game. When asked how he read Power's game so well, he acknowledged: "I have been watching videos."

In one of Barada's final appearances, at the 2000 US Open, another side of Barada's character was revealed. At a moment when Power's sneakers tore open at a critical juncture of his match with Simon Parke, Power faced disqualification within 90 seconds. Noone rose to help him. But unobtrusively Barada climbed down from the upper seats and handed Jonathon Power his sneakers - 1/2 size too small but adequate for Power to continue his dominance of Simon Parke. It was a simple but somehow symbolic gesture.

Ahmed had a clear ambition: 'I have one simple aim - to become champion of the world.' Sadly, the pressure of a nation to achieve that 'simple aim' seems to have been too much for Ahmed, and he has quietly and inexplicably retired.

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