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GUANGZHOU Five-time World Open champion Nicol David and compatriot Mohammad Azlan Iskandar look set for a double Malaysian gold medal celebration in the Asian Games squash tournament.
Defending champion David, the world number one for a record 56 months, is so dominant on the continent that the next best Asian woman is Hong Kong's Annie Au down at 17 in the world rankings.
One step below is the experienced Rebecca Chiu, the 2002 gold medallist and runner-up to David at the last Asiad in Doha four years ago.
The Malaysian star is also on a personal and professional high arriving in China having lifted a first Commonwealth Games gold, backed up by a bronze alongside One Beng Hee in the doubles.
“This is one of my highest achievements. The fact that it's in a multi-sport event, which means so much for Malaysia, makes it even more important for me,” she said.
Although David has a long way to go to beat New Zealander Susan Devoy's achievement of 105 months as world number one, set between April 1984 and February 1993, no-one would rule out her achieving it.
Now aged 27, she seems further ahead of the field than ever.
She also has the build to continue at a high level for a long time, though perhaps not the style of play, which remains very physical.
Iskandar was runner-up to compatriot Ong Bee Hee in Qatar in 2006, but has since overtaken his countryman in the world rankings where he currently stands at 14 on a global list dominated by Egyptians.
Pakistan's Aamir Atlas Khan and Saurav Ghosal are expected to make up the medal push.
“On court, Ong and I are rivals but off court we are the best of pals,” said Iskander, who can call on a kaleidoscope of national characteristics when the going gets tough.
His father was born in Scotland while his grandfather was Norwegian.
“I don't look Malaysian. It's quite frustrating sometimes, when I'm being served by locals, they speak Malay behind my back,” said Iskandar.
“They think I'm a white person and that I don't know Malay, but I can speak the language fluently.”
If gold eludes Iskander, he admits he'll be the first person cheering on David.
“We should all look up to her as a role model and strive harder,” he said.
Iskandar missed out on a singles medal at the Commonwealth Games, losing to Peter Barker of England in the bronze medal play-off.
