SINGAPORE: Malaysia’s Nicol David had her nine-year run as women’s squash world number one, one of the longest reigns in world sport, finally halted on Tuesday by Egyptian Raneem El Welily.

The 26-year-old El Welily becomes the first Egyptian woman to become a world number one in any sport, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) said upon updating the rankings.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have become the new world No.1,” El Welily, PSA Women’s Player of the Year in 2015, said in a statement.

“Nicol has been number one for so long and the gap between her and all of us has been so huge that to get close to her is an achievement in itself. To be the person to finally overtake her is huge.”

She had been second in the rankings for eight months after winning a hat-trick of majors, including her home Alexandria Open in June.

Her lead over David is just 125.625 and with the Malaysian also competing in China on the opposite side of the draw, El Welily’s reign could be short.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2015

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