Jahangir Khan

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Jahangir Khan (Pashto, Template:Langx 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). He is widely regarded as the greatest squash player of all time,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the greatest sportsman in Pakistan history.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> From 1981 to 1986, Khan was unbeaten and won 555 consecutive matches during that time<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> – the longest winning streak by any athlete in top-level professional sport as recorded by Guinness World Records.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Jahangir injury hastens final exit, The Independent, 24 September 1992</ref><ref>Jahangir Khan hopes for squash's 2016 Olympic debut Template:Webarchive, Webindia123.com, 26 August 2008</ref>

He retired as a player in 1993, and served as President of the World Squash Federation from 2002 to 2008. Later in 2008, he became Emeritus President of the World Squash Federation.<ref name="auto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Early and personal life

Khan was born on 10 December 1963 in Karachi.<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His family originally hailed from Nawan Kalli, a small village near Peshawar in Pakistan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Poor Peshawar village home of squash dynasty. Central Asia Online. 15 March 2010.</ref><ref name=":2" />

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.<ref name=":1" />

Two of his nieces are Natasha Khan (better known as Bat for Lashes), a British singer,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Maria Khan, a professional footballer who has played for the Pakistan women national football team.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Career

Khan was coached initially by his father Roshan, the 1957 British Open champion, then by his brother Torsam.<ref name=":1" /> After his brother's sudden death he was coached by his cousin Rehmat, who guided Khan through most of his career.<ref name=":1" />

In 1979, the Pakistan selectors decided not to select Khan to play in the world championships in Australia<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

World Open final appearances

Wins (6)
Year Opponent in final Score in final
1981 Geoff Hunt 7–9, 9–1, 9–2, 9–2
1982 Dean Williams 9–2, 6–9, 9–1, 9–1
1983 Chris Dittmar 9–3, 9–6, 9–0<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
1984 Qamar Zaman 9–0, 9–3, 9–4
1985 Ross Norman 9–4, 4–9, 9–5, 9–1
1988 Jansher Khan 9–6, 9–2, 9–2
Runners-up (3)
Year Opponent in final Score in final
1986 Ross Norman 5–9, 7–9, 9–7, 1–9
1991 Rodney Martin 17–14, 9–15, 4–15, 13–15
1993 Jansher Khan 15–14, 9–15, 5–15, 5–15

British Open final appearances

Wins (10 consecutive)
Year Opponent in final Score in final
1982 Hiddy Jahan 9–2, 10–9, 9–3
1983 Gamal Awad 9–2, 9–5, 9–1
1984 Qamar Zaman 9–0, 9–3, 9–5
1985 Chris Dittmar 9–3, 9–2, 9–5
1986 Ross Norman 9–6, 9–4, 9–6
1987 Jansher Khan 9–6, 9–0, 9–5
1988 Rodney Martin 9–2, 9–10, 9–0, 9–1
1989 Rodney Martin 9–2, 3–9, 9–5, 0–9, 9–2
1990 Rodney Martin 9–6, 10–8, 9–1
1991 Jansher Khan 2–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–0
Runners-up (1)
Year Opponent in final Score in final
1981 Geoff Hunt 2–9, 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • 1984 – Featured on a Government of Pakistan issued postage stamp.<ref>Postage stamp Template:Sic Rs. 3 depicts Pakistan's youngest world squash champion Jahangir Khan in 1984 Retrieved 5 January 2016, Daily Dawn</ref>
  • 1999 – Sport and Youth Award by French Government<ref>Another honour for legendary Jahangir Khan Retrieved, The Business Recorder</ref>
  • 2005 – Times Award – Time Magazine named Khan as one of Asia's Heroes in the last 60 years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • 2007 – Awarded an honorary degree of Doctorate of Philosophy by London Metropolitan University.<ref>Honour for Jahangir Khan Retrieved, 12 August 2007, Dawn News</ref>
  • 2017 – Featured on a Government of Japan issued commemorative stamp<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Philanthropy

Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF)

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.<ref>Shahid Afridi, Jahangir Khan come forward to help minorities in fighting pandemic Retrieved, The Statesman, 5 April 2020</ref>

Niaz Support

In 2023, Khan was appointed as a global goodwill ambassador for Niaz Support, a Pakistani social enterprise that provides customized wheelchairs to people with disabilities.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Books

See also

References

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