A Historic Milestone: Record Number of Players, Regions, and Match Days
2025-05-01
On May 1st, 2025, the highly anticipated “DIAMOND Cup” China National Squash Open officially opened in Changning District, Shanghai.
As a Class A national-level sporting event, the tournament is jointly guided by the General Administration of Sport of China and the Shanghai Sports Bureau, and co-hosted by the Shanghai Squash Association and DIAMOND Squash Club.
This year’s edition marks a new chapter for Chinese squash, setting historic records in event scale, athlete participation, and tournament duration. A total of 330 top athletes from over 20 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China are competing in the Adult (Pro & Open) and Junior (U11–U19) divisions.
Government-Enterprise Collaboration Elevates the Sport
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Cheng Xialiang, Director of the Changning District Sports Bureau, highlighted the event’s significance in promoting public fitness and driving the local sports industry.
Mr. Wang Ding, Head of Sports Management Division of the Small Ball Sports Administration Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, emphasized the event’s positive impact on the development of squash in China and its role in nurturing competitive athletes.
Mr. Jiang Jian, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Squash Association, noted that this year’s event achieved three major breakthroughs:
- Highest number of participants in history
- Widest geographic representation
- Longest competition schedule
These milestones reflect the rapid advancement of squash as a rising sport in China.
World-Class Format and Nationwide Engagement
The 2025 DIAMOND Cup adopts international competition standards, featuring Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Team events.
To enhance the spectator experience, organizers have arranged live broadcasting, a junior squash experience camp, and interactive fan activities.
As the official media partner, FindingSquash will deliver a full-day live broadcast of the Finals on May 5th, providing global audiences with front-row access to China’s most competitive squash battles.
Finals Day Live Stream: May 5th, 9:00 AM (UTC+8, Beijing Time)
Supporting Olympic Dreams and Global Visibility
With squash officially included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, national-level tournaments like the DIAMOND Cup are expected to play a vital role in boosting the sport’s popularity, competitiveness, and visibility in China.
Industry experts believe that the continuous evolution of such events will provide a critical platform for talent development and professionalization in the lead-up to LA 2028.
Organizers stated that future editions will further promote integration of sports and education, explore professional career pathways, and strengthen China’s presence on the global squash stage.
