Jahangir Khan

Jahangir Khan (Pashto, Urdu: جهانگير خان born 10 December 1963) is a former professional Pakistani squash player. He won the World Open title six times, and the British Open title ten times (1982–1991). Jahangir Khan is widely regarded as the greatest squash player of all time,[1][2][3] and one of the greatest sportsmen in Pakistan history.[4][5] From 1981 to 1986, Khan was unbeaten and during that time won 555 consecutive matches[6] – the longest winning streak by any athlete in top-level professional sport as recorded by Guinness World Records.[7][8][9]

For other uses, see Jahangir Khan (disambiguation).

Jahangir Khan
Jahangir Khan at the 2018 Asian Awards
Nickname(s)JK
CountryPakistan
Born (1963-12-10) 10 December 1963
Karachi, Pakistan
Retired1993
Racquet usedUnsquashable
Men's singles
Highest rankingNo. 1
World OpenW (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988)
Medal record
Men's squash
Representing  Pakistan
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1981 Toronto Singles
Gold medal – first place 1982 Birmingham Singles
Gold medal – first place 1983 Munich Singles
Gold medal – first place 1984 Karachi Singles
Gold medal – first place 1985 Cairo Singles
Gold medal – first place 1988 Amsterdam Singles
Silver medal – second place 1986 Toulouse Singles
Silver medal – second place 1991 Adelaide Singles
Silver medal – second place 1993 Karachi Singles
Bronze medal – third place 1987 Birmingham Singles
Bronze medal – third place 1989 Kuala Lumpur Singles
1st Emeritus President of the
World Squash Federation
Assumed office
2008
Preceded byPost created
7th President of the
World Squash Federation
In office
2002–2008
Preceded byNew Zealand Susie Simcock
Succeeded byIndia Narayana Ramachandran
Last updated: 28 April 2020.

He retired as a player in 1993, and has served as President of the World Squash Federation from 2002 to 2008. Later in 2008, he became Emeritus President of the World Squash Federation.[10]

Early and personal life

Khan was born in 10 December 1963 into a Pashtun family in Karachi.[11][12][3][13] His family originally hailed from Nawan Kalli, a small village near Peshawar in Pakistan.[14][15][16][13]

A member of the Khan family, he was born into a family of squash players; his father Roshan Khan won the British Open title in 1957, and his older brother was Torsam Khan.[11]

His two nieces Natasha Khan (better known as Bat for Lashes) is a British singer,[17] and Maria Khan is a professional footballer who has played for the Pakistan women national football team.[18]

Career

Jahangir Khan was coached initially by his father Roshan, the 1957 British Open champion, then by his brother Torsam.[11] After his brother's sudden death he was coached by his cousin Rehmat, who guided Khan through most of his career.[11]

In 1979, the Pakistan selectors decided not to select Khan to play in the world championships in Australia[19] but he entered the World Amateur Individual Championship, at the age of 15, and became the youngest-ever winner of that event. In November 1979, Torsam Khan, who had been one of the leading international squash players in the 1970s, died suddenly of a heart attack during Australian Open match in Adelaide Australia. Torsam's death profoundly affected Khan. He considered quitting the game, but decided to pursue a career in the sport as a tribute to his brother.[20]

He retired as a player in 1993, and has served as President of the World Squash Federation from 2002 to 2008, later became Emeritus President.[10][21]

World Open final appearances
Wins (6)
Year Opponent in final Score in final
1981Geoff Hunt7–9, 9–1, 9–2, 9–2
1982Dean Williams9–2, 6–9, 9–1, 9–1
1983Chris Dittmar9–3, 9–6, 9–0
1984Qamar Zaman9–0, 9–3, 9–4
1985Ross Norman9–4, 4–9, 9–5, 9–1
1988Jansher Khan9–6, 9–2, 9–2
Runners-up (3)
Year Opponent in final Score in final
1986Ross Norman5–9, 7–9, 9–7, 1–9
1991Rodney Martin17–14, 9–15, 4–15, 13–15
1993Jansher Khan15–14, 9–15, 5–15, 5–15

British Open final appearances
Wins (10 consecutive)
Year Opponent in final Score in final
1982Hiddy Jahan9–2, 10–9, 9–3
1983Gamal Awad9–2, 9–5, 9–1
1984Qamar Zaman9–0, 9–3, 9–5
1985Chris Dittmar9–3, 9–2, 9–5
1986Ross Norman9–6, 9–4, 9–6
1987Jansher Khan9–6, 9–0, 9–5
1988Rodney Martin9–2, 9–10, 9–0, 9–1
1989Rodney Martin9–2, 3–9, 9–5, 0–9, 9–2
1990Rodney Martin9–6, 10–8, 9–1
1991Jansher Khan2–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–0
Runners-up (1)
Year Opponent in final Score in final
1981Geoff Hunt2–9, 7–9, 9–5, 7–9

Honors and awards
  • 1981 – At age 17 became the youngest winner of the World Open, beating Australia's Geoff Hunt in final.[22]
  • 1984 – Featured on a Government of Pakistan issued postage stamp.[23]
  • 1999 – Sport and Youth Award by French Government[24]
  • 2005 – Times Award – Time Magazine named Khan as one of Asia's Heroes in the last 60 years.[25]
  • 2007 – Awarded an honorary degree of Doctorate of Philosophy by London Metropolitan University.[26]
  • 2017 – Featured on a Government of Japan issued commemorative stamp[27]
  • 2018 – Winner of the 8th Asian Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sport[28]
  • 2023 – Nishan-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan.[29]

Philanthropy

In 2018, Khan became global President of Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) in a ceremony held at Japan. SAF was founded by former cricketer Shahid Afridi which aims to provide healthcare and education facilities in Pakistan.[30]

See also

References
  1. "Greatest player". Squashsite. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  2. "Jahangir Khan recognised as greatest squash player of all time". UNSQUASHABLE. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  3. "BBC Radio 5 Live - The Question of Sport Podcast - Three of the most incredible unbeaten streaks in sport". BBC. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  4. Hussain, Faizan (24 February 2016). "Jahangir Khan - Sportsman of the millennium". The Nation. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  5. https://www.worldsquash.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Jahangir-Khan-Interview.pdf
  6. "Jahangir Khan: A champion who lived up to his name". The News International. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  7. "Norman Talks Ending Khan's 555 Winning Run". PSA World Tour. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  8. Jahangir injury hastens final exit, The Independent, 24 September 1992
  9. Jahangir Khan hopes for squash's 2016 Olympic debut, Webindia123.com, 26 August 2008
  10. "Officers". World Squash Federation. Archived from the original on 18 September 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  11. "JAHANGIR KHAN". UNSQUASHABLE. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  12. "The Asian Awards | Honouring Asian Excellence | VIP Asian Awards | Business Awards | Jahangir Khan". www.theasianawards.com. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  13. "Jahangir Khan - Pakistan squash legend who took the sport to new heights". Daily Times. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  14. Chaudhry, Ijaz (11 October 2020). "SQUASH: COURTING SUCCESS". DAWN.COM.
  15. Hafiz, Javed. "The civil society has developed into a formidable force". Archived from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  16. Poor Peshawar village home of squash dynasty. Central Asia Online. 15 March 2010.
  17. "Bat for Lashes: off the wall". The Daily Telegraph. London. 26 February 2009.
  18. Irshad (21 January 2023). "The footballer who scored an incredible goal on a free kick is the niece of legend Jahangir Khan - Daily Usaf Pipa News - PiPa News". Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  19. "Jahangir The Conqueror". emel.com. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  20. "Jahangir Khan Pakistan's Squash Legend Who Took Sport to New Heights". Daily Times. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  21. "When was Jahangir Khan born?". Britannica.com. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  22. "Japan issues commemorative stamp to celebrate Jahangir Khan's career". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  23. Postage stamp pf Rs. 3 depicts Pakistan's youngest world squash champion Jahangir Khan in 1984 Retrieved 5 January 2016, Daily Dawn
  24. Another honour for legendary Jahangir Khan Retrieved, The Business Recorder
  25. Poncha, Cyrus (15 November 2005). "Time Magazine Asian Hero: Jahangir Khan".
  26. Honour for Jahangir Khan Retrieved, 12 August 2007, Dawn News
  27. "Japan issues commemorative stamp to celebrate Jahangir Khan's career". Geo TV. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  28. Jehangir Khan gets Outstanding Achievement in Sport Award Retrieved, The News International
  29. "President confers Pakistan civil awards on 253 personalities". Dunya News. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  30. Shahid Afridi, Jahangir Khan come forward to help minorities in fighting pandemic Retrieved, The Statesman, 5 April 2020
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