Hannah Pang ‘19
Shaam Gambhir ‘23 is a humble, well-spoken eighth-grader, who happens to be an elite squash player. This year, Gambhir played number two on EA’s varsity team. His passion for squash is evident in his on-court work ethic and his determined mental attitude. Gambhir puts himself through a rigorous practice schedule, performing a variety of on-court and off court training exercises, practicing six days a week for three to four hours a day.
Gambhir began playing squash at the age of five and has developed a true love for the sport. He was first introduced to squash by his older cousins. After playing that initial game, he was hooked. Since his first time on the court, the meaning of the sport has changed for Gambhir.
Gambhir considers this season to be his biggest accomplishment thus far, winning all five of his Junior Championship Tournaments. Despite all of his wins, according to Gambhir, winning is not the most important part. He says, “What keeps me going is not the next event but it’s really just that I love the sport, it’s really fun and I enjoy the whole process.”
Gambhir enjoys traveling for tournaments. Last summer, he flew to Britain to take part in the British Junior Open. “I played new players and met a whole bunch of new people, different personalities which was a really awesome experience,” says Gambhir.
Gambhir is surrounded by supporters including coaches and teammates. According to Gambhir, his parents have been his biggest supporters throughout his squash career, driving and flying to tournaments, and teaching him the value of hard work. Despite being the youngest member of the Episcopal varsity team, to Gambhir, the squash team is “like being a part of a family.” Before every match, the team gathered together, put their hands on Gambhir and chanted, “EA on 3! 1, 2, 3, EA!” Teammate Carson Fischer ‘19 says, “Shaam is one of the most hardworking kids I have ever met. This along with his athleticism, smart play, and determination to always get better are all qualities that make him such a special squash player.”