Nicol David

From her back-to-back Women's World Championships in 2005 and 2006, to being the youngest ever squash player to embrace the #1 spot, Nicol Ann David is the legendary undisputed world no. 1 squash player. Nicol’s unprecedented feats have certainly redefined ‘success’ in the Malaysian sports arena.  This enthralling squash player has not failed to constantly dazzle the international squash scene.

Nicol was born on 26 August 1983 in the Pearl of the Orient- Penang, Malaysia. She is a daughter to Desmond David, an engineer and Ann Marie David, a now retired school teacher.  She has two sisters named Lianne Marie and Cheryl Therese, both of whom are also accomplished squash players at the national level. Nicol scored a striking 7As in her Penilaian Menengah Rendah(PMR) and 9As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia(SPM)- a living testament to the fact that one can not only excel at both academic and sports, but also have a balance family life.

The spectacular story of Nicol David goes way back when she was merely 5 years old where she started playing squash for fun. With sports blood running in the family, Nicol began her formal training at the tender age of 8. While training at the Bukit Dumbar Squash Centre, Nicol was talent-spotted by Miss Ee Phoeh Hoon, who led her to representing her home state of Penang with her sisters.
Nicol’s first international win was in 1994 in the Hong Kong Under-13 category. Soon, Nicol began climbing her way up, clinching title by title, and conquering the challenges under the tutelage of coach Richard Glanfield.

Nicknamed the Pink Duracell Bunny for her extraordinary speed and agility, Nicol began dominating the squash scene by winning the Asian championship as well as becoming the youngest player to become the world’s woman junior champion- when she was merely 15 years old. In the process of becoming the junior champion, she startled players who were ranked in the world’s top 20. She won the junior championship twice and became the only 2 players in the history of squash to have achieved the incredible feat.

Nicol set the world squash rankings ablaze at a staggering young age. By the time she reached the age of 16, the squash wonderment was already making the world’s top 10 list and soaring up. Nicol has an invincible track record in Asia after winning the Asian championship a whopping 5 times in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006.

In December 2005, Nicol became the youngest world champion after beating Rachel Grinham in the final of the Women’s World Open in Hong Kong.

In January 2006, at only 23 years old, Nicol reached a new height when she took over the helm as the world’s number one woman squash player. Nicol is not only the first Malaysian to take over the crown but is also the first Asian woman to be ranked number one.

Nicol is applauded not only for her squash but also her as a person. In the year 2006, Nicol was inducted Malaysia’s first goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Developments Programme [UNDP]. The squash queen also carried the Olympic torch on behalf of Malaysia during the torch relay ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Squash queen Nicol has a respectable reputation as a player who does nothing short than deliver. Playing her game with intense focus and grit, the marvelment roped in 7 WISPA titles in the year 2005, 6 titles in the year 2006, and an astounding 8 titles in the year 2007.  Nicol was also named the WISPA Young Player of the Year in 2005, followed by the WISPA Player of the Year in the years 2006 and 2007.
In July 2007, Nicol was conferred an honorary degree- the Master of Arts honoris causa from the University of Notthingham for her remarkable accomplishments both on and off court. And in December, Nicol was announced as the winner of the inaugural Asian Sportswoman of the Year Award, beating 100 athletes from 25 sporting bodies and national Olympic Councils from 15 countries.
Nicol David is well known for her modest ways and strong family values. The double world champion is currently based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She is coached by Liz Irving- a former world number 2 and 1997 World Doubles Squash Champion.

Describing herself as a carefree, outgoing and adventurous person, Nicol feels that a player has to be completely passionate about the game, and be willing to make sacrifices for the game if they want to excel in it. When asked what plans she had in mind for after her playing career, the 4-times Malaysian Sportswoman of the Year Award recipient  said that she hopedto be part of getting squash into the Olympics and making squash known throughout the world; not forgetting setting up a squash academy for kids in Malaysia.

Nicol, who revealed in an interview that her favourite athletes were Michael Jordan and Michael Johnson, also enjoys volleyball, basketball, athletics, swimming, golf and tennis. While her favourite food is her mum’s cooking and Penang food, Nicol’s favourite genre of music range from R&B and Hip Hop, to Funky House.

Living life to the full, Nicol Ann David is a role model to many young Malaysians, many of whom look up to her due to her outstanding squash achievements, academic excellence and enchanting personality. No doubt, Nicol's amazing drive and determination has and will always inspire people for years to come.

All hail Nicol David- the true Malaysian Idol!!
Malaysia Boleh!

Source:

Local Newspapers, & 'Various Content' extracted from squash360 http://squash360.com