Originally from Cairo, Egypt, Mostafa Essam built a decorated junior squash career, reaching World No. 3 in the U19 category and capturing multiple national titles. After moving to the U.S. in late 2008 and coaching in Brooklyn, he founded Corner Squash in 2011—establishing a robust training academy dedicated to developing strong players.

Recognized as the 2025/2026 USOPC National Coach of the Year, Essam’s coaching approach brings together diverse international styles to help athletes shape a high-level, well-rounded game. Under his direction, the program has guided numerous top-ranking competitors and national champions onto the collegiate stage. Driven by a relentless work ethic and continuous development, his core philosophy serves as the foundation for every athlete:

“You never stop learning the fundamentals.”

Ashraf Yassin is the Head Coach and Partner of Corner Squash Academy and a U.S. National Junior Squash Coach, with over 15 years of high-performance coaching experience. A Level Two certified coach, Ashraf combines technical precision, strategic development, mental resilience, and team culture to help players reach their potential.

His expertise spans player assessment, training strategy, drill design, video analysis, mental coaching, and team dynamics. He has coached top-ranked U.S. junior players, mentored elite collegiate athletes who went on to compete for leading Ivy League programs, and worked with top Egyptian professionals achieving world-class rankings.

In 2025, Ashraf joined Trinity College as Men’s Squash Coach and led the team to the 2026 National College Championship, becoming the first Egyptian coach in the college’s history to win the national title. He was also named the 2026 NESCAC Coach of the Year.

As a former elite competitor, Ashraf brings firsthand experience at the highest levels of the game, including a career-high U.S. rating of 7.01, a Top 10 U.S. Men’s National Ranking, the 2023 U.S. Masters Squash Championship (Over 35) title, and a 2024 runner-up finish.

Ashraf is passionate about developing confident, disciplined, and adaptable players through innovative coaching and long-term athlete development

Shehab brings extensive international playing and coaching experience, having competed at the highest levels of the game, reached the world’s top 60, and earned multiple international titles throughout his playing career.

His coaching career has taken him across Egypt and the United States, including several successful seasons at Merion Cricket Club in Philadelphia, working with leading PSA professionals, nationally and internationally ranked juniors, and players at every stage of the game.

Yassine Elattal joined Corner Squashin June 2025. A competitive squash player and full-time coach, he has extensive experience working with junior athletes and developing strong fundamentals.

Yassine focuses on helping players enjoy every rally while improving their decision-making and consistency. He especially loves teaching drops and seeing players use practiced skills successfully in match play. Focused, supportive, and disciplined, he coaches with the motto "Train with purpose."

As a former Egyptian National Team player, Hazem Abouelsoud has won more than 25 national squash tournaments and previously served as Assistant Coach to current World No. 1 Mostafa Asal.

Hazem focuses on building champions both on and off the court, with a coaching style centered on discipline, development, and strong values. His favorite skill to teach is the volley, and he loves seeing his students compete with confidence and good sportsmanship. Patient, dedicated, and highly specialized, Hazem coaches with the motto "Train to dominate, not to win."

Samir El Degwi brings over a decade of experience in squash-specific strength and conditioning. Since 2011, he has developed elite performance programs for professional and world-class players, including World Champion Tarek Momen, former World No. 7 Salma Hany, former World No. 3 Amanda Sobhy, and former World No. 13 Sabrina Sobhy. He is currently part of the USA Squash High Performance Team.

Samir specializes in movement efficiency, injury prevention, and match-specific conditioning, with a focus on long-term athletic development and competitive success. Alongside coaching, he continues to deepen his expertise by studying Strength & Conditioning and Fitness Coaching at the University of Denver, Colorado, allowing him to apply the latest performance science to help athletes reach their full potential.

Disciplined, committed, and supportive, Samir is passionate about helping players believe in themselves and compete with confidence. His coaching motto is: "Prepare the body, trust the game."