Dato Nicol Ann David

From her back-to-back Women’s World Championships in 2005, 2006 and 2008, 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, 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!

As the World Number 1, Nicol David has traveled an interesting route towards success. Listed below is a brief summary of her achievements:

2009

CIMB Kuala Lumpur Open (runner-up)
Texas Open
Cayman Islands Open
Seoul Oopen

2008

Apawamis Open
Asian Squash Championship
CIMB KL Open
Dunlop British Open
Seoul Women’s Open
CIMB Malaysian Open
CIMB Singapore Masters
Forexx Dutch Open
Hi-Tec Manchester World Open
Qatar Classic
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open

2007

CIMB KL Open Champion
Sheikha Al Saad Kuwait Open Champion
Qatar Classic (06) Champion
Seoul Open Finalist
CIMB Malaysian Open Champion
CIMB Singapore Masters Champion
Forexx Dutch Open Champion
Dunlop British Open Finalist
Women’s World Open Q-Finalist
Qatar Classic Champion
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open Champion

2006

Apawamis Open Finalist
CIMB KL Open Finalist
Asian Games Women’s Singles Event Gold Medallist
Women’s World Open World Champion
Dunlop British Open Champion
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open Champion
Hotel Equitorial Penang Open Champion
CIMB Malaysian Open Champion
Qatar Airways Challenge Champion

2005

Country View KL Open Champion
Sheikha Al Saad Kuwait Open Champion
Mamut Dutch Open Champion
CIMB Malaysian Open Champion
Dunlop British Open Champion
Carol Weymuller Open Champion
Women’s World Open World Champion

2004

Malaysian Airlines KL Open Finalist
Malaysian Open Finalist
Shanghai WISPA World Stars Championships Finalist

2003

Women’s World Open Bronze Medallist

2002

KL Open Champion
Asian Squash Championships- Singles Event Finalist
Asian Squash Championships Team Event Champion
Commonwealth Games Mix Doubles Event Silver Medallist

2001

Asian Squash Championships- Singles Event Champion
Asian Squash Championships - Team Event Champion
World Junior Championships World Junior Champion

2000

Asian Squash Championships- Singles Event Champion
KL Open Champion
Savcor Finnish Open Champion
SUKMA VIII Gold Medallist

1999

British Junior Open- Under 17 & Under 19 Champion
Asian Squash Championships- Singles Event Champion
Asian Squash Championships- Team Event Champion
German Junior Open- Under 19 Champion
Malaysian Junior Open- Under 19 Champion
World Junior Championships World Junior Champion
SEA Games Brunei- Team Event Gold Medallist
SEA Games Brunei- Singles Event Gold Medallist
Australian Junior Open- Under 19 Champion

1998

Asian Squash Championships- Singles Event Champion
KL Open Champion
Savcor Finnish Open Champion
SUKMA VIII Gold Medallist

1997

British Junior Open- Under 14 Champion
Asian Squash Championships- Team Event Gold Medallist
Australian Junior Open- Under 15 & Under 17 Champion
Scottish Junior Open- Under 16 Champion
SEA Games- Team Event Gold Medallist

1996

British Junior Open- Under 14 Champion
SUKMA- Team Event Gold Medallist
Australian Junior Open- Under 13 & Under 15 Champion
Scottish Junior Open- Under 14 Champion

1995

British Junior Open- Under 14 Champion
Malaysian Junior Open- Under 14 Champion
Hong Kong Junior Open- Under 14 Champion
Scottish Junior Open- Under 14 Champion

1994

SUKMA- Team Event Gold Medallist
Scottish Junior Open- Under 12 Champion

Awards & Honours

Conferred the Darjah Bakti The highest Malaysian honour - ‘Datuk’ Malaysia’s Sportswoman of the Year in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 Universiti Sains Malaysia- Anugerah Kencana Canselor Award 2008
Felda Malaysian Youth Excellence Award 2008
The Outstanding Young Malaysian Award 2008
Carried the Olympic torch …in Athens, Greece and for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
WISPA Young Player of the Year Award 2005
WISPA Player of the Year Award 2006, 2007,2008
Asian Sportswoman of the Year Award 2007
Medals from Penang state- PJK, PJM
Medal from the Agung- AMN
Malaysia’s first goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme [UNDP]
One of the first entrants into Malaysia’s SportExcel Hall of Fame in July 2002
Universiti Sains Malaysia Golden Key Honorary Member
Master of Arts honoris causa from the University of Nottingham
Carried the Olympic torch on behalf of Malaysia during the torch relay ahead of the 2004 Olympic
Games in Athens, Greece.
Various local sports awards