Datuk Nicol Ann David, the Malaysian squash player who held the record as the world’s number one for 108 consecutive months, will be speaking at the Tatler Gen.T Summit happening on November 9 and 10
In the squash world, Datuk Nicol Ann David is the first and only Asian woman to hold the world number-one ranking for an unprecedented 108 consecutive months. David has also won the World Open title eight times and the British Open title five times, and is the first female player to emerge victorious twice in the World Junior Championship.
The veteran squash player retired in June 2019 after playing her last match at the British Open. Since then, she has put her time and energy into the Nicol David Foundation. Through the organisation’s Little Legends programme, she nurtures the values of positivity, confidence and respect via sports and education for young children.
Read more: Retired world no. 1 squash champion Datuk Nicol David wants to see more inclusion in sports
On November 9, David will be speaking at the Tatler Gen.T Summit, the ideas and innovation festival taking place at the M+ museum in Hong Kong.
Here are some quick facts about her, from her rise to the top of the squash leagues to her passions outside of squash.
A Guinness World Record holder
The decorated squash player is the Guinness World Record holder for the longest unbroken run as the world number one in squash. Her streak lasted 108 consecutive months from 2006 to 2015 and is the longest reign by any squash player.
She surpassed the previous record of 105 months held by Susan Devoy of New Zealand, who was the world number one from 1983 to 1992. David’s record is also one of the longest by any athlete in any individual sport—comparable to tennis’ Roger Federer’s 237 consecutive weeks as the world number one in tennis or Tiger Woods’ 281 consecutive weeks as the world number one in golf.
Read more: Retired Malaysian squash champion Nicol David launches the Nicol David Organisation