History was waiting on the final court in San Salvador, and Fiorella Gatti made sure to claim it. With a commanding straight-games victory over American Vivienne Sze, Paraguay’s top junior squash player became the first athlete ever to win three consecutive Under-19 singles titles at the Pan American Junior Squash Championships. Gatti sealed the historic milestone with an emphatic 3-0 victory. She won 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 in the women’s final in El Salvador.
The achievement cements Gatti’s place in the tournament’s history books and further establishes Paraguay as one of the rising powers in Pan American squash.
An honour before the first serve
Even before stepping onto the court, Fiorella Gatti had already been entrusted with a special role. Chosen to represent the athletes during the opening ceremony, she delivered the Athletes’ Oath in Spanish alongside Guyana’s Kayley Low before an audience of competitors from 14 countries. The ceremony, which welcomed more than 140 athletes, celebrated the values of sportsmanship and fair play that define the championship.
When competition began, Gatti lived up to that honour. Gatti controlled the final from the opening rally. She never allowed Sze to build momentum and secured a convincing straight-games victory.
A champion who keeps raising the bar
The podium was completed by Sze, who earned the silver medal, while Riva Bhagwati of the United States and Canada’s Gladys Ho shared the bronze. Gatti’s latest title is another chapter in a remarkable junior career that continues to gather momentum. Gatti trains under Esteban Casarino, head coach of Paraguay’s National Squash Team. He also serves as Vice President of the PanAm Squash Federation.
The victory follows another international success earlier this year. Gatti teamed up with Damián Casarino to win mixed doubles gold at the South American Under-23 Squash Championships.
Eyes on the world stage
Now, after setting a new benchmark that no junior player has reached before, Gatti turns her attention to an even bigger stage. She will next represent Paraguay at the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships. The tournament runs from 20 to 31 July 2026 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
For Gatti, the third consecutive Pan American title is not the culmination of a journey. It is the latest milestone in a career that continues to push the boundaries of Paraguayan squash.
