WORLD No.39, Mohammed Adnan, has emerged the winner of the third edition of Lagos Governor's Open Squash Championship, which ended on Sunday night, taking home the $10,000 star prize.The Malaysian beat Nigeria's Sadiq Taiwo in three straight sets of 11-5, 11-3, 11-5 to take the title from Jonathan Peters, who lost in the semi-final. Taiwo got $7,500 while Peters and another semi-finalist, Tunde Ajagbe, got $4,000 each for their efforts.Adnan said he capitalised on the mistakes of his opponent, insisting that his better ranking was not a major factor for his victory. He said: 'I knew how to handle him after playing the first set. He hit the ball well but I noticed his weaknesses and it became a simple game for me.'He can still do well against other top opponents but it was not his day. I will always remember this victory and as the Asian champion, coming to Nigeria has added something great to my career.'Ogun State's Yemisi Taiwo won the ladies' category, beating her opponent from Lagos State, Ebifemi Taiwo. She won $3,000 while Ebifemi got $1,500. Last year's winner, Dasbak Logdi, and fellow semi-finalist, Kally Yashim, got $750 each.Temiloluwa Adegoke retained his U-14 boys title after beating Lanre Pratt 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9. In the girl's category, Ondo State's Adebayo Kehinde beat Titlayo Akinleye from Kwara State to win the title, which earned her a trophy and an undisclosed cash reward.In the veteran category, Sode Pepple from Lagos State beat Tunde Yahaya of Kwara State in the final while Bola Mogaji won the third position. Pepple got N50, 000 while Yahaya got N30, 000 and Mogaji N20, 000. Former national player, Elizabeth Iyamu of Edo State, won the women's category while Esther Udofia of Akwa Ibom came second.Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Deji Wellington, said the quality displayed by the players showed that the competition was gaining the international recognition it deserved. He said: 'I am impressed with what I saw in this edition. The standard was good and the players fought hard to seal victory.'Governor Babatunde Fashola has assured us that the state would be hosting this event every year. For this event, we brought in players from Europe, America and Asia. The next edition will, hopefully, feature players ranked by the international body in its first 20.
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