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, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
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 2002, 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.
Nothing short of remarkable, Nicol plays her game with intense focus and grit, the marvelment roped in 7 WISPA titles in the year 2005, 6 titles in the year 2006, 8 titles in the year 2007, and an astounding 10 titles in 2008. Nicol was also named the WISPA Player of the Year in the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
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.
And in the year 2008, Nicol was conferred the `Order of Merit’ by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin(King of Malaysia). With the conferment, Nicol, then 24, becomes the first recipient of the highest Malaysian Award which was established in 1975, and is limited to 10 recipients who have made significant contributions in arts, science and humanity. Nicol then went on to become Malaysia’s youngest Datuk upon receiving the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) from her home state of Penang. She was also awarded The Outstanding Young Malaysian Award for Personal Development & Accomplishment, followed by a number of local and international honours all in the same year.
The magic of Nicol lies in her modest ways and strong family values. The triple 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.
When asked what plans she had in mind for after her playing career, the 6-times Malaysian Sportswoman of the Year Award recipient said that she hoped to 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.
Living life to the full, Nicol’s outstanding squash achievements, academic excellence and enchanting personality has made her a role model to fans worldwide. 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!
