PETALING JAYA: Malaysian squash queen Nicol David (pic), who made her debut as a fresh-faced teenager at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, has come a long way.
Now 20 years later, the Penangite has gone on to create a legacy of her own by winning the world title a record eight times.
Nicol, who turns 35 in August, also topped the world rankings for a record of 109 consecutive months since August 2006 before being deposed in 2015.
The world No. 8, who also holds the record of an 171-month unbroken run in the world’s top 10, is now set to claim another milestone when she competes at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games next month.
The two-time gold medallist and defending champion will be the
only player who will make a sixth successive appearance at the Games.
“The best memory of the 1998 Games was the opening ceremony. It was a mind-blowing experience for a 15-year-old who was part of the Malaysian contingent cheered on by 80,000 people in the stadium,” recalled Nicol fondly.
“It is truly a great honour to represent the country and still be able to participate in the Commonwealth Games because this is the highest level of participation for squash in a multi-sport event.
“The significance of a medal in this Games means a lot to me and to have won two golds before is something special as well.”
Nicol however is well aware that she faces a tough challenge in her bid for a record third gold medal at the Games.
“It will definitely be a huge bonus to win my third gold. But personally, I’m just so happy that I can participate in another edition of the Games and I’m definitely giving it my best out there,” said Nicol.
This comes after Nicol’s struggle on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour of late, with her latest blow being a first round defeat to Egyptian teenager Hania El Hammamy at the Windy City Open in Chicago in February.
Nicol who is seeded third at the Games is still Malaysia’s best bet for a medal.
She has a first round bye before meeting either Colette Sultana of Malta or Cayman Islands’ Samantha Hennings in the second round.
Besides Nicol, the other Malaysians in the fray are national No. 2 S. Sivasangari and teenager Aifa Azman.
The main contenders for the singles gold will be English pair – world No. 4 Laura Massaro and world No. 9 Sarah-Jane Perry as well as New Zealand’s world No. 7 Joelle King.
Now 20 years later, the Penangite has gone on to create a legacy of her own by winning the world title a record eight times.
Nicol, who turns 35 in August, also topped the world rankings for a record of 109 consecutive months since August 2006 before being deposed in 2015.
The world No. 8, who also holds the record of an 171-month unbroken run in the world’s top 10, is now set to claim another milestone when she competes at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games next month.
“The best memory of the 1998 Games was the opening ceremony. It was a mind-blowing experience for a 15-year-old who was part of the Malaysian contingent cheered on by 80,000 people in the stadium,” recalled Nicol fondly.
“It is truly a great honour to represent the country and still be able to participate in the Commonwealth Games because this is the highest level of participation for squash in a multi-sport event.
“The significance of a medal in this Games means a lot to me and to have won two golds before is something special as well.”
Nicol however is well aware that she faces a tough challenge in her bid for a record third gold medal at the Games.
“It will definitely be a huge bonus to win my third gold. But personally, I’m just so happy that I can participate in another edition of the Games and I’m definitely giving it my best out there,” said Nicol.
This comes after Nicol’s struggle on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour of late, with her latest blow being a first round defeat to Egyptian teenager Hania El Hammamy at the Windy City Open in Chicago in February.
Nicol who is seeded third at the Games is still Malaysia’s best bet for a medal.
She has a first round bye before meeting either Colette Sultana of Malta or Cayman Islands’ Samantha Hennings in the second round.
Besides Nicol, the other Malaysians in the fray are national No. 2 S. Sivasangari and teenager Aifa Azman.
The main contenders for the singles gold will be English pair – world No. 4 Laura Massaro and world No. 9 Sarah-Jane Perry as well as New Zealand’s world No. 7 Joelle King.
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