From Champion to Architect: Ahmed Ismail’s Coaching Legacy in the Making

By every standard, Egypt remains the undisputed heartbeat of world squash. Its academies produce champions with remarkable consistency, its juniors develop resilience before adolescence, and its coaches are regarded not merely as trainers, but as craftsmen of greatness. Emerging within this fiercely competitive arena is Ahmed Ismail, a coach whose journey from national champion to architect of rising professional stars reflects both Egypt’s tradition and the modern evolution of the sport.

Before stepping behind the glass as a mentor, Ahmed built a formidable playing résumé of his own. A former Egyptian National Team player, Egyptian National Champion, Ardic Junior Open Champion, and national No. 1 across the Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17 age divisions, his competitive identity was rooted in clinical precision and sharp decision-making. Every rally was calculated, every movement purposeful, yet delivered with explosive intensity. That same blueprint now defines his coaching philosophy: intelligent aggression guided by structure and discipline.

One of the clearest reflections of this coaching approach can be seen in the rise of Lauren Baltayan, a young squash player who has emerged as a defining success story. Under Ahmed’s guidance, Baltayan captured the British Junior Open 2026 Under-19 title, a breakthrough victory that marked a turning point in her career. The win was followed by a surge in consistency and confidence on the international stage, claiming the Amsterdam Challenger Title on the professional circuit, culminating in a career-high world ranking of 61, at just 18 years of age. Beyond the accolades, Baltayan’s evolution under Ahmed’s guidance reveals a distinct competitive maturity. Her decision-making in high-pressure moments has sharpened, her tactical instincts have grown more deliberate, and she now commands matches with a composure that challenges even higher-ranked opponents, clear indicators of a training system grounded in precision, structure, and long-term development.

Another compelling reflection of this coaching impact is Nour Aboelmakarem, who climbed to a career-high world ranking of No. 36 on the professional circuit. Looking back on her development, Aboelmakarem has often credited Ahmed’s influence in reshaping her understanding of the game.

“Coach Ismail helped me see squash from a completely different angle,” she said in an interview. “His technical insights changed the way I approach match strategies and game planning, and that shift has benefited me in my breakthrough to the top 40.”

A defining moment in Nour’s career came with her victory at the Karachi Open Championship, a milestone she credits to the technical understanding and tactical clarity developed through her training with Ahmed.

Karim Eltorkey stands as another prominent success story under Ahmed’s mentorship. Through their work together, Eltorkey cultivated a deeper tactical awareness and the patience required to manage high-pressure rallies, qualities that accelerated his rise through the professional ranks to a career-high world ranking of No. 21. With Ahmed guiding his development, Eltorkey secured seven professional titles, highlighted by impressive victories at the 2025 JSW Indian Open and the 2025 McMillan Goodfellow Classic.

Eltorkey’s success reflects the core of Ahmed’s coaching philosophy, elite decision-making paired with explosive movement, an identity that has come to define his style of play. His consistency at major events was further underscored by semifinal appearances at both the 2025 Silicon Valley Open and the 2025 Squash On Fire Open, marking him as one of the most dynamic competitors on the circuit.

Through a rare blend of elite competitive experience, technical mastery, and forward-thinking methodology, Ahmed has established himself as one of the most influential coaching minds of his generation. Grounded in precision, accountability, and an uncompromising standard of excellence, his approach bridges Egypt’s storied squash tradition with the evolving demands of the modern game. As his players continue to rise across the global stage, Ahmed’s impact is becoming increasingly unmistakable, not only in results, but in the way the next generation of champions thinks, moves, and competes.