 Jahangir Khan at the 2018 Asian Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | JK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Pakistan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1963-12-10) 10 December 1963 (age 61) Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired | 1993 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Racquet used | Unsquashable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Men's singles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest ranking | No. 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Open | W (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| 1st Emeritus President of the World Squash Federation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incumbent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Post created | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7th President of the World Squash Federation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 2002–2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by |  Susie Simcock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by |  Narayana Ramachandran | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Updated on 28 April 2020. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jahangir Khan (Pashto, Urdu: جهانګير خان 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). Jahangir Khan is widely regarded as the greatest squash player of all time, and one of the greatest sportsmen in Pakistan history. From 1981 to 1986, Khan was unbeaten and during that time won 555 consecutive matches – the longest winning streak by any athlete in top-level professional sport as recorded by Guinness World Records.
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.
Early and personal life
Khan was born on 10 December 1963 in Karachi. His family originally hailed from Nawan Kalli, a small village near Peshawar in Pakistan.
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.
Two of his nieces are Natasha Khan (better known as Bat for Lashes), a British singer, and Maria Khan, a professional footballer who has played for the Pakistan women national football team.
Career
Jahangir Khan was coached initially by his father Roshan, the 1957 British Open champion, then by his brother Torsam. After his brother's sudden death he was coached by his cousin Rehmat, who guided Khan through most of his career.
In 1979, the Pakistan selectors decided not to select Khan to play in the world championships in Australia 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.
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.
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 |
| 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.
- 1984 – Featured on a Government of Pakistan issued postage stamp.
- 1999 – Sport and Youth Award by French Government
- 2005 – Times Award – Time Magazine named Khan as one of Asia's Heroes in the last 60 years.
- 2007 – Awarded an honorary degree of Doctorate of Philosophy by London Metropolitan University.
- 2017 – Featured on a Government of Japan issued commemorative stamp
- 2018 – Winner of the 8th Asian Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sport
- 2023 – Nishan-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan.
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.
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.
See also
- List of squash players
- Jansher Khan
- World Open
- British Open Squash Championships
- World Squash Federation
- List of Pakistanis
References
- "Greatest player". Squashsite. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- "Jahangir Khan recognised as greatest squash player of all time". UNSQUASHABLE. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "BBC Radio 5 Live - The Question of Sport Podcast - Three of the most incredible unbeaten streaks in sport". BBC. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- Hussain, Faizan (24 February 2016). "Jahangir Khan - Sportsman of the millennium". The Nation. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- Julien, Diane (March 2019). "Jahangir Khan - Conqueror of the World" (PDF). World Squash. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- "Jahangir Khan: A champion who lived up to his name". The News International. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- "Norman Talks Ending Khan's 555 Winning Run". PSA World Tour. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- Jahangir injury hastens final exit, The Independent, 24 September 1992
- Jahangir Khan hopes for squash's 2016 Olympic debut Archived 8 October 2019 at the Wayback Machine, Webindia123.com, 26 August 2008
- ^ "Officers". World Squash Federation. Archived from the original on 18 September 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "JAHANGIR KHAN". UNSQUASHABLE. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- "The Asian Awards | Honouring Asian Excellence | VIP Asian Awards | Business Awards | Jahangir Khan". www.theasianawards.com. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "Jahangir Khan - Pakistan squash legend who took the sport to new heights". Daily Times. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- Chaudhry, Ijaz (11 October 2020). "SQUASH: COURTING SUCCESS". DAWN.COM.
- Hafiz, Javed. "The civil society has developed into a formidable force". Archived from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- Poor Peshawar village home of squash dynasty. Central Asia Online. 15 March 2010.
- "Bat for Lashes: off the wall". The Daily Telegraph. London. 26 February 2009.
- Irshad (21 January 2023). "The footballer who scored an incredible goal on a free kick is the niece of legend Jahangir Khan - Daily Usaf Pipa News - PiPa News". Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- "Jahangir The Conqueror". emel.com. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- "Jahangir Khan Pakistan's Squash Legend Who Took Sport to New Heights". Daily Times. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- "When was Jahangir Khan born?". Britannica.com. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- "Japan issues commemorative stamp to celebrate Jahangir Khan's career". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- Postage stamp pf [sic] Rs. 3 depicts Pakistan's youngest world squash champion Jahangir Khan in 1984 Retrieved 5 January 2016, Daily Dawn
- Another honour for legendary Jahangir Khan Retrieved, The Business Recorder
- Poncha, Cyrus (15 November 2005). "Time Magazine Asian Hero: Jahangir Khan".
- Honour for Jahangir Khan Retrieved, 12 August 2007, Dawn News
- "Japan issues commemorative stamp to celebrate Jahangir Khan's career". Geo TV. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- Jehangir Khan gets Outstanding Achievement in Sport Award Retrieved, The News International
- "President confers Pakistan civil awards on 253 personalities". Dunya News. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- Shahid Afridi, Jahangir Khan come forward to help minorities in fighting pandemic Retrieved, The Statesman, 5 April 2020
- Islamabad. "Jahangir Khan, Abrar-ul-Haq and Azam Jamil become the Global Goodwill Ambassadors for Niaz". IslamabadPost. IslamabadPost. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
External links
- Jahangir Khan – PSA player profile at the Wayback Machine (archived 20 March 2012)
- Jahangir Khan at Squash Info
- The Incredible Khans of Squash: Part III Jahangir
- The Khan Family, A Squash Dynasty Part III
- Pakistan Squash – The Khan Supremacy Part VII
- Jahangir Khan page at Squashpics.com
- Details of Jahangir's rivalry with Jansher Khan
- Article on Jahangir's hardball squash rivalry with Mark Talbott
- World Squash Awards Archived 25 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- The KhanSquash Management Group – (archived)
| Sporting positions | ||
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| Preceded byQamar Zaman Jansher Khan Jansher Khan Jansher Khan Jansher Khan |
World No. 1 January 1982 – December 1987 November 1988 – October 1989 March 1990 – April 1990 July 1990 – October 1990 January 1992 – April 1992 |
Succeeded byJansher Khan Jansher Khan Jansher Khan Jansher Khan Jansher Khan |
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