PARAGUAY’S FIORELLA GATTI stormed through the women’s draw to capture gold at the 2024 Pan American Junior Squash Championships in Quito, Ecuador this week defeating USA’s wonder kin Charlotte Sze 11-2, 14-12, 11-6. The 16-year-old from Asuncion is already ranked 251 in the world after reaching the final in last month’s PSA Challenge Tour 3 event in Porto Ferreira, Brazil. When asked what this title meant, Fiorella said: “Winning my first Pan-American gold medal is a big milestone for me. I am very excited”.
Fiorella was introduce to squash at a very young age by her parents who also played at the public courts in Asuncion built by the Government of Paraguay. She is currently coached by FPS Vice President Esteban Casarino, Paraguay’s number #1 player for many years, who also played on the PSA tour. Casarino believes strongly in Fiorella future adding, “She has indeed the potential to become a very good player, especially because she enjoys training and is gradually trusting the process more and more; plus, she is a hard worker, and this makes a very good combination.”
Following her passion, Fiorella announced “I have many goals, but my next one is to win gold at the South American Junior Squash Championships. I wish to thank my family, friends and coaches and all those back home who always support me”.
“Fiorella’s success will attract tremendous support for our upcoming grassroots program. She is also a strong leader and role model for other juniors” claimed Edgar Restrepo, President of the Paraguayan Squash Association. He added: “She is the present and future of Paraguay’s junior squash program, particularly as we prepare to host the Pan-American Junior Games in Asuncion next year.”