About Mohamed Elshorbagy

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Mohamed Elshorbagy currently ranks #1 squash player in the world. Elshorbagy, originally from Alexandria, Egypt, joined the PSA in 2006 at only 15-years old. Only one year later, he became the first player to ever secure a maiden PSA World Tour title at a five star event. Since the beginning of his squash career, Elshorbagy has broken world records and continues to lead one of the most impressive athletic records in history.

In 2008 and 2009, Elshorbagy became the second man after Ramy Ashour to place first in the World Junior Squash Championships twice in a row. In 2013, he won the Qatar Classic World Series and continued his stellar record in the 2014 campaign, where he won five events. Of these events, Elshorbagy won the World Series tournaments at the US Open and Hong Kong.

2014 marked an incredibly significant year for Elshorbagy. After beating Gregory Gaultier in the US Open’s semi-final, Elshorbagy was officially ranked #1 in the world for Squash and became the fourth youngest player to do so. In the PSA World Series Finals, he beat Ramy Ashour for the first time in the round robin stage, winning 11-5 twice in a row. Elshorbagy also beat James Willstrop 11-9 and 11-7, which qualified him for the semifinals. He won against Nick Mathew in five separate games to reach the PSA World Series final, but ended up losing to Ashour overall.

In 2014, Elshorbagy made it to the semifinals of the Metro Squash Windy City Open. He unfortunately lost to Gaultier in four games, but continued his good form and made the final of El Gouna International’s final, beating GAultier in four games.

Elshorbagy also has a talented younger brother, Marwan, who ranks in the world’s top 25 for squash. Marwan made it to the Kuwait PSA Cup World Series Platinum event semi-finals.

Elshorbagy deserves to be recognized for his admirable athleticism and natural talent for the game of squash. At just 24 years old, he has made history more than once and will continue to be the player to watch for the next few years. For more information about Mohamed Elshorbagy, check out his page on PSA World Tour’s website here.

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Things to do in NYC This Summer

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This summer, don’t let the city heat and crowded weekend subways keep you from spending an adequate amount of time enjoying the outdoors in NYC. There are plenty of fun activities you can be part of and beautiful sites to discover in the hot upcoming months. Here’s a list of some summer events that Business Insider suggests you check out while you’re in the big apple:

1. Take a trip to Picnic Point on Governors Island (where you can catch a free ferry ride) to enjoy the eye-pleasing site of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor under a clear blue sky.

Dumbo’s Smorgasburg, located between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges

2. Check out Brooklyn Flea’s Smorgasburg, a food festival that happens on Saturday afternoons between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO.

3. Head to Chelsea Piers and play golf on a 200-yard fairway overlooking the Hudson River.

4. Take a long stroll from the High Line park in the Meatpacking District up to 34th Street – it’s the perfect summer walk filled with vendors to try and benches to relax on.

5. Have a picnic at one of New York’s many green parks, if you’ve never been to Prospect Park in Brooklyn, try it out (you can even stop at a local farmer’s market right in front of the park every Saturday).

6. On Saturday mornings, seven miles of road between Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge along Park Avenue are closed in August for you to enjoy free bike rentals, zip lines, and rock-climbing.

Coney Island

7. And lastly, head to Coney Island, New York’s favorite theme park that holds the famous Cyclone roller coaster. But, if you’re not a fan of rides, there’s also beaches to enjoy and Nathan’s hot dogs to munch on.

New York City is filled with tons of places to explore and wonderful summer attractions that you don’t want to miss out on. For more ideas, check out Business Insider’s list of 34 Things Every New Yorker Should Do This Summer, and don’t let the heat stop you from enjoying those sunny days.

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The British Open Squash Championships

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The British Open Squash Championships is the oldest, most established, and one of the most respected tournaments in the game of squash. Along with the PSA World Tour it is considered the highest, most prestigious tournament in the sport. This year, the week-long tournament will begin on May 11, but there’s already news of a certain favorite not making it. As rather upsetting news, sources found the 2013 tournament champion (and three-time additional world champion), Ramy Ashour, 28, of Egypt was ruled out from the 2015 cup. An aggravated achilles heel injury was listed as the official reason for sitting out of this year’s pinnacle event.

Photographed above: Ramy Ashour

It would be wrong to say this event shocked anxious fans everywhere, as Ashour had suffered a meniscus injury, and had been dealing with some pain for an extended period of time, hoping to be ready to play by the British Open. Coming off of many wins, it seemed Ashour might have had a chance to present his prowess at Allam’s open. He participated in the PSA tour after a four month absence, and although his knee injury seemed not to bother him sufficiently, he may have caused additional pressure to strain his foot. Ashour’s absence means some rearrangement of the seeding chart. Ashour’s fellow countryman and veteran, Amr Shabana—the runner-up in the 2004 British Open—will be taking his place as the number four seed in the first match against England’s Chris Simpson. England’s Nick Matthew (the 2006, 2009, 2010 champion) will be seeded third, behind Mohamed Elshorbagy of Egypt and 2014 winner and 2013 runner-up Grégory Gaultier of France.

However, current arrangements may change once more as Nick Matthew debates whether he can participate at the open with a recovering knee injury. The aging superstar hurt his knee coming off the El Gouna international in Egypt last month. Before the injury, he showed only signs of continuing success with four significant victories bringing him up to second in the world rankings. Matthew has been training alongside veteran Ellery Hanley in order to prepare himself for the upcoming games.

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One World Observatory

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Get ready for one of the most breathtaking views you’ll see in a while.  Yes, the One World Observatory at the World Trade Center is said to open on May 29th – and as of now it is the largest building in the United States.  So if you’re planning on taking a trip there, just make sure you don’t have vertigo. At the Observatory you can experience incredible panoramic views of NYC from the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors – 1250 feet above ground level!

On the western side of the World Trade Center, you can find futuristic Sky Pod elevators that will take you to these upper-level floors.  On the 102nd floor, viewers will watch a video presentation all about New York City and all of its wonders, equipped with breath taking pictures of the city from its start.

The 100th floor is home to City Pulse, where you can watch HD videos about various notable NYC neighborhoods and landmarks.  Plus, if you really don’t mind heights, there is a Sky Portal, which includes a 14-foot diameter circular disc that gives high-definition footage of what’s going on on the streets way below you.  The Observatory is said to be an innovation in the technological world that has, quite literally, reached new heights.

Furthermore, according to Time Out New York, “This new landmark isn’t just a pretty view- the new observatory includes interactive exhibits, a sit-down restaurant and other dining options for those interested in being above it all,” (Time Out New York, New York City from One World Trade).

Tickets cost $32 for adults, $26 for children, and $30 for senior citizens.  Children until the age of are free.  Get your cameras ready, because this view is sure to be out of this world.

 

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New York City Spring Events

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With central park in full bloom and a warm breeze on the city streets, who doesn’t love New York in the spring? Plus, with the return of the sunshine comes plenty of events to take part in. From free art fairs to comedy shows to concerts, there’s so much to do in New York, it almost doesn’t seem feasible. So that you aren’t completely overwhelmed, here is a shorter list of some of the spring events that you may find interesting in the great city of New York:

Tribeca Film Festival: From April 16th – 27th enjoy watching some creative, eye-gripping films at Bow Tie Cinemas in Chelsea. But, Robert DeNiro’s Tribeca Film Festival has so much more than just films. There is an ESPN Sports Film Festival, a Family Festival Street Fair and various Tribeca Talks, that provide free panels for aspiring filmmakers. So grab a date, or film guru and hit the theatre in late April!

Ferry Bar Crawl: With warm weather finally on its way in NYC it’s time to get outside and on the river. So hop on the East River ferry and make your way to the Hudson on an afternoon filled with laughter, dancing, and drinks on a ferry bar crawl. This is a great activity to do with a group of friends if you’re celebrating a graduation, job promotion, or even a birthday.

Grilling on the Brooklyn Waterfront: What better way to save money on a fancy dinner downtown than to grab some hotdogs and hamburgers from your local market and make your way to Brooklyn Bridge Park, where you can grill right on the waterfront for free. Plus, if you go on a Sunday you’ll have the luxury of being amidst Schmorgesborg, the king of brooklyn flea markets.

Orchid Show: For just a small fee, spend a day in the NY Botanical Garden and enjoy the beauty of nature at the Orchid Show until April 21st. This aerial display of orchids is unlike any other and the event includes dance performances, poetry, and orchid care demonstrations. On certain nights, you can even participate in Orchid Evenings, and walk around the orchid escape with a date at sunset.

Keep in mind, this is just a short list of all the things you can do in NYC in the springtime. So if none of these spark your interest, check out Thrillist’s article on things to do in NYC in the spring.

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Sportsmanship in the Canary Wharf Squash Classic

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In recent squash news, several Egyptian players have been recognized for their talent of the game. Mezan Hesham, one of the most notable players from Egypt appeared in the Canary Wharf Squash Classic this past week against Hong Kong’s Max Lee in an extremely close match. In the end, Lee took home the win, but it was the efforts of both players that made this match so enticing.

According to an article published by The Sports Review and written by Joel Durston, great things were said about both Hesham and Lee. Lee was recognized for having only 10 errors throughout the match, a huge difference between the average amount at this particular level. Durston noted that:

“Lee showcased his great all-round game and fantastic athleticism and his experience just shone through in the end as he won the fifth 11-9. The Hong Kong player was effusive in his praise for his opponent, and unduly modest about his fine performance,” (Durston, Lee and Hesham Produce Tie of First Round).

Hesham, on the other hand, was also recognized for his expertise in the game of squash, particularly when his forehand was recognized. According to Durston, “His forehand was very effective, earning 22 of those winners. His party piece, which he had reasonable success with, was shaping to hit drie and then at the last minute stopping his wrist for the disguised drop shot,” (Durston, Lee and Hesham Produce Tie of First Round).

But, what stood out most about these players was not only their athleticism and gift for the sport, but their likability amongst the crowd. From exceptional concentration to unbelievable sportsmanship, both Lee and Hesham showed what professional athletes sometimes forget – their love for the game and the people who play it. Lee was even quoted talking about how great of a player Hesham proved to be, “‘He’s so accurate, he hit so many winners and he’s so quick. I credit him and I just won the game with a bit of luck today,’” (Durston, Lee and Hesham Produce Tie of First Round).

To read more about the Canary Wharf Squash Classic and other talented squash players that were a part of the tournament, please read Joel Durston’s article here.

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The Six Best NYC Bars You Don’t Know About Yet

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Whether they’re hiding behind a shy and unmarked entrance, or they’re new enough to make you look old, these places ought to pique some interest for their novel designs and unique offerings. In no particular order, please welcome your new nightlife neighbors:

Pier A Harbor House

Pier A Harbor House (Opened November 2014)

Enter the Lobster King. Not for the agoraphobes, this huge 28,000 square foot nautically designed space redefines the lobster shack. In fact, this palatial hall completely overthrows it. Only a stone’s throw from Battery Park, Pier A offers many distinctly characteristic rooms—in the atrium or waterfront— that support the feasting and guzzling needs of any party—large or small. In short, occupy any number of over a hundred boathouse bar stools or feel the freedom of the fresh outdoors while looking out onto the Statue of Liberty.

The Folly (Opened November 2014)

Bringing you a second player from the gales of nautical November, The Folly evokes the feeling of being on a ship at sea more than it does a boat safely tucked in a port. And yet, there is no sacrifice of coziness; sleek woods and dim lighting create a warm atmosphere, which is good for those who forget they’re not actually adrift over cold, open waters and could use the reality check. The comfortable tavern vibe will support those who left their sea legs back by the first cocktail.

Bar Cyrk

Bar Cyrk (Opened September 2014)

Down in TriBeCa, it can be hard to find a respite away from the bustle that leaks north from the Financial District. Fortunately, for this, Bar Cyrk mimics the feel of the more theatrical aspects of New York City, announcing your arrival with bright marquee lighting, intricate chandeliers and gilded glamour. The outside is a subdued brick façade, untelling of the elegant interior that awaits within. An upscale venue that still maintains a calming presence, Bar Cyrk is great for the after work conversation or a date night with a special someone.

The Happiest Hour (Opened September 2014)

Behind a quietly marked glass wall you may just experience your happiest hour. For those who yearn to go back to the 50s, or those who missed the decade and fancy a taste, this venue invokes the spirit of retro Florida. With a green and peach cream color scheme, and a beach-and-island ambiance (recognizable by the tiki tchotchkes) this place relaxes even the most tense of thirsty customers. Upstairs offers the first bar and table seating, downstairs lies the lounge space.

The Up & Up

The Up & Up (Opened February 2015)

In Greenwich Village there is a bar, and the bar’s name is Up & Up. With cocktails and an attitude inspired by great literature, it won’t fail to impress the most erudite of scholars. For the college crowd, or anyone scouring between the lines of Trendy and Hipster, stop by for a visit. But be not deceived, Up & Up’s menu proves itself respectable with a series of cocktails licensed for use from other reputable establishments around the city. The space itself is a mélange of industrial chic and new age color, looking a lot like the large garage of a budding artist.
Belle Rêve (Opened February 2015)

This place lives up to its French name meaning “beautiful dream” in a couple of ways. Serving as a safe haven welcoming anyone who needs it, Belle Rêve casts a warm glow over the small space that’s easy on the eyes; cozy, not cramped. A prohibitionist theme permeates throughout this ground-level speakeasy-restaurant hybrid and hints can be picked up in the old-fashioned fireplace, the stained glass windows, and the hammered-copper ceilings.

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Use this new app to get what YOU want out of NYC

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Make the most of NYC with the Taabs app

Whether you drive into the city, take a train, get dropped off by a parachute, or reside there full-time, you probably have been accosted by any number of eager individuals promoting comedy clubs, gentlemen’s clubs, music venues, even the Empire State Building. Is there no easy and trustworthy way to narrow down the options to find exactly what you’re looking for?

Sites like Yelp! and Foursquare offer a slew of reviews and support the user with thoroughly supplied location-specific information, but the reviews are written by people you likely don’t know, and sometimes they may seem to overlook you, the user, as an individual. UrbanDaddy is also an eminent lifestyle and nightlife website that introduces and familiarizes us with brand new venues as they open, but an editorial can seem limited, as a single author tends to take on a specific tone in presenting a venue—pushing what he or she may judge as the most important aspects of a place.

As we continue through the age of data, knowledge and information become more democratically available. This means you don’t have to waste time comparing reviews from anonymous users to (hopefully) find a place or event that will suit you. Meet TAABS: the iOS application that helps you find a nightlife venue based on preferred criteria you select yourself. In their words, “No more long reviews written by people you don’t know. No more biased and inaccurate information. At TAABS, our goal is to make venue search as quick, easy, and informative as possible.”

TAABS is an up-and-coming application, launching soon, whose primary goal is to not only walk you through finding what nightlife venue best suits your wants and needs, but also to get to know you in the process. Forget following sites and waiting for them to feed you. Dig in! Want to find a place that currently offers a Happy Hour? Need to find a good date spot with dim lighting and a romantic ambiance? Getting a group together for trivia, karaoke, and late night dining? Whatever the case is, whenever the night, it helps to have access to every venue in the city, and to narrow down your options through a user-based

Not convinced? Take a look at the graphic design and interface at www.taabs.com. Should be really cool!

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Singapore Squash Rising

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Singapore Squash Packs a Punch

You can’t find the name of any of Singapore’s squash players on the PSA world rankings, but you can trust the squad has the power to annihilate its competitors after coming out of its last five sets undefeated. The Marigold South East Asia Cup, spanning only three days, serves as a precursor to warm up players as they get ready for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games. The biennial games to be hosted in Singapore this June (the last games in 2013 were hosted in Myanmar) granted squash a long over due presence after an eight-year (three tournaments) hiatus, putting pressure on all teams to defend not only their own worth but the importance of squash as a sport. And that’s good news for Singapore, as President Wu of the Singapore Squash Rackets Association worried of the sport’s “moribund” status.

Vivian Rhamanan, Singapore’s own #1 player led the squad to an incredible 5-0 shutout against Myanmar and Thailand. Against Myanmar, the team conceded a team total of only 14 points. Coming off this victory, Singapore faced Thailand who showed signs of a tough fight, but could not ultimately hold back the momentum Singapore managed to muster. Lead player, Vivian Rhamanan, perhaps inadvertently, rubbed it in the faces of their competitors saying they “pretty much played with the handbrake on” as they intended to save some juice for the more threatening opponents, Indonesia, whom they will play in the cup semi-finals. (Vivian Rhamanan’s last major cup game was in 2012 against Hong Kong at the Asian Team Championships.)

The matches ahead will call into question the rather undoubted integrity of the duo as long-standing rivals Vivian Rhamanan and Marcus Phua come together in efforts to bring home the gold medal; the two have faced each other since they both played in the under-12. Fortunately for Singapore, the two shows no weakness in collaborating having won four tournaments as a doubles team within the last year, and Rhamanan expressed himself the “telepathic” nature of their chemistry that makes them “the team to beat.” For more info, check out this article .

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Partnership with the Professional Squash Association and the Tennis Channel

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Squash has forever been playing catch-up in terms of recognition as a sport. For years the sport has sought a spot among the plethora of Olympic sports, but has not yet seen the break it deserves. However, they have had slow but steady progress in terms of getting acknowledged on a whole new level. At the end of February, the Professional Squash Association announced that they will be partnering with the US Broadcaster Tennis Channel, a tremendous opportunity for the sport to dramatically increase visibility and traction in the United States.

Professional Squash Association

This multi-year agreement will have the Tennis Channel as the sole broadcast partner of the Professional Squash Association in the United States, showing roughly 170 hours of professional-level squash play on both network television and the Tennis Channel Plus, which is the digital subscription version of the channel. Prestigious squash events have already been queued up to show on the network in March and the following months, such as the Allam British Open, the Delaware Investments US Open, and, of course, the World Series and World Championship of the Professional Squash Association. And there will be no delay for squash fans who are looking to catch the premiere matches on TV. Events will be broadcasted live, and will be available on-demand as well for those looking to view the action at a later date.

This partnership is exactly what Squash needed to continue the growth it has seen over the past couple of years, now being available for viewing by millions of people in the United States who previously had no real way of connecting with the sport. The CEO of the Professional Squash Association, Alex Gough, sums up the way the squash world is feeling about this milestone, saying, “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Tennis Channel and feel certain that this is the beginning of a partnership that will be of huge benefit to squash not just in America, but all around the world.” Read more about this exciting partnership here.

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