![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2017/03/PanasheSithole_22652.jpg)
St Mary’s School’s squash player, Panashe Sithole, has won the girls’ section of the Fight Night play-offs hosted by Bull Ring Squash earlier in March.
The top 10 juniors in the boys’ and girls’ categories were invited to compete for a wild card entry in this year’s Professional Squash Association (PSA) main draw for the upcoming Bull Ring Open Squash Championships taking place between 3 to 6 May.
The 16-year-old Sithole started playing squash at the age of nine and joined St Mary’s at 14.
Sithole played various other ranked squash players over a period of time to advance to the competition which was played at the Wanderers grounds.
The Grade 8 schoolgirl said, “Winning this means I will gain more experience as I will compete in a PSA tournament. I’m so happy. I still cannot believe I am playing in the PSA main draw.
“I will benefit from the exposure and to play against the best in South Africa is a huge learning experience.”
Kathy Mittendorf, head of marketing at St Mary’s School, said Sithole’s achievement had inspired other schoolchildren. Seeing what Sithole has achieved, Mittendorf said, has motivated other squash players to work harder at their game.
“They often chat to her to get advice on how to improve their game and, on occasions, have even asked her to coach them. For St Mary’s, we are very proud of her achievements to date, she works hard at her game and deserves the success she is attaining,” said Mittendorf.
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
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