 Jahangir Khan at the 2018Asian Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | JK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Pakistan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1963-12-10)10 December 1963 (age 61) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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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| 1stEmeritus President of the World Squash Federation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Post created | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7thPresident 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 Pakistanisquash player. He won theWorld Open title six times, and theBritish 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 byGuinness World Records.[7][8][9]
He retired as a player in 1993, and served as President of theWorld Squash Federation from 2002 to 2008. Later in 2008, he became Emeritus President of theWorld Squash Federation.[10]
Khan was born on 10 December 1963 inKarachi.[11][12][3][13] His family originally hailed fromNawan Kalli, a small village nearPeshawar inPakistan.[14][15][16][13]
A member of theKhan family, he was born into a family of squash players; his fatherRoshan Khan won theBritish Open title in 1957, and his older brother wasTorsam Khan.[11]
Two of his nieces areNatasha Khan (better known asBat for Lashes), a British singer,[17] andMaria Khan, a professionalfootballer who has played for thePakistan women national football team.[18]
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 inAustralia[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 Australian Open match inAdelaideAustralia. 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 theWorld Squash Federation from 2002 to 2008, later became Emeritus President.[10][21]
| 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 |
| 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 |
In 2018, Khan became global President of Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) in a ceremony held at Japan. SAF was founded by former cricketerShahid Afridi which aims to providehealthcare andeducation facilities in Pakistan.[30]
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.[31]
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | World No. 1 January 1982 – December 1987 November 1988 – October 1989 March 1990 – April 1990 July 1990 – October 1990 January 1992 – April 1992 | Succeeded by |
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