Jahangir Khan
Retired Pakistani squash player
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Jahangir Khan (Pashto, Urdu: جهانګير خان born 10 December 1963) is a Pakistani former professional 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,[1][2][3] and the greatest sportsman in Pakistan history.[4][5] From 1981 to 1986, Khan was unbeaten and won 555 consecutive matches during that time[6] – the longest winning streak by any athlete in top-level professional sport as recorded by Guinness World Records.[7][8][9]
Jahangir Khan at the 2018 Asian Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nickname | JK | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 10 December 1963 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.[10]
Early and personal life
Khan was born on 10 December 1963 in Karachi.[11][12][3][13] His family originally hailed from Nawan Kalli, a small village near Peshawar in Pakistan.[14][15][16][13]
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.[11]
Two of his nieces are Natasha Khan (better known as Bat for Lashes), a British singer,[17] and Maria Khan, a professional footballer who has played for the Pakistan women's football team.[18]
Career
Khan was coached initially by his father Roshan, the 1957 British Open champion, then by his brother Torsam.[11] After his brother's sudden death he was coached by his cousin Rehmat, who guided Khan through most of his career.[11]
In 1979, the Pakistan selectors decided not to select Khan to play in the world championships in Australia[19] 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 an 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.[20]
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.[10][21]
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[22] |
| 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.[23]
- 1984 – Featured on a Government of Pakistan issued postage stamp.[24]
- 1999 – Sport and Youth Award by French Government[25]
- 2005 – Times Award – Time Magazine named Khan as one of Asia's Heroes in the last 60 years.[26]
- 2007 – Awarded an honorary degree of Doctorate of Philosophy by London Metropolitan University.[27]
- 2017 – Featured on a Government of Japan issued commemorative stamp[28]
- 2018 – Winner of the 8th Asian Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sport[29]
- 2023 – Nishan-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan.[30]
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.[31]
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.[32]
Books
- Winning Squash, Prentice Hall, 1986. Co-written with Charles Seely.
- Go and Play Squash : Techniques and Tactics, Stanley Paul, 1992.
- Learn Squash and Racquetball in a Weekend, Knopf / Dorling Kindersley, 1993.
