Jahangir Khan is the best squash player in history
Pakistani Jahangir Khan is recognized as the best squash player in history, with 555 continuous victories, which is considered an absolute record in all professional sports. At the age of 17, he became the youngest world squash champion, and after retirement received the title of "Athlete of the Millennium".
His career was able to take place even despite numerous operations and prohibitions of doctors. What is the secret of Jahangir Khan's success?
How it all began?
Jahangir Khan was born in 1963 to Rohan Khan, who by that time was already the winner of the 1957 British Open.
All the men in the Khans' family played squash, but Jahangir was a sickly child, and doctors forbade him to play sports.
“The doctor told my father that I would not physically pull up a sport, especially as intense as squash. Any attempt to play will undermine my already poor health, or even finish it off completely. The fact is that I really was a weak child, besides, I suffered from a hernia, ”Jahangir Khan said in an interview.
At the age of five, he underwent his first operation. Three years after her, Jahangir, under the supervision of his father, began to play squash. Roshan Khan built a successful squash career and was the coach and mentor of his son.
Even as a child, Jahangir showed good results and his father saw his potential and determination. He taught him to play, took care of the comfort of the sickly Jahangir, watched over his health and gave him moderate loads in accordance with the boy's well-being.
At the age of 12, Jahangir underwent another operation, after which the doctors allowed him to seriously engage in squash.
At the age of 14, he played for the national team under the first number in the junior world championship, and at 15 became the youngest winner of the World Amateur Individual Tournament. This victory was the beginning of Jahangir Khan's star path.
Start of a professional career
In November 1979, at a tournament in Australia, the torso of Khan, Jahangir's brother, died. He had a heart attack right on the court. The death of Torsam was the impetus for the young Khan, he promised himself to finish the job started by his brother - to become the best squash player in history.
Jahangir trained intensely and exhaustingly in London away from his family. His cousin Rehmat became his coach. He put together an intense training program that included tactical and physical squash exercises and intense work in the gym. The workout took about 8:00 daily.
"It hurted me. I was so lonely that I cried sometimes. But deep in my heart I knew that I had no other choice but to persistently go towards the goal for the sake of the memory of Tormas, ”said Jahangir Khan.
At the age of 17, exactly 2 years after his brother's death, Jahangir defeated Australian Jeff Hunt at the World Open, becoming the youngest tournament winner in history. At that time, Jeff was the best squash player in the world, so this victory was the beginning of Jahangir Khan's absolute leadership.
What is the secret of Jahangir Khan's success?
The win at Jeff Hunt was the first of Jahangir Khan's 555 wins. For 5 years and 7 months he played without defeat, which is a record in the history of any professional sports.
He became a 10-time British Open champion from 1981 to 1993 and a 6-time world champion. Jahangir is the first player to win the championship without losing a single game.
When Jahangir was asked what the secret of his victories was, he replied that there was no secret.
“If you want to succeed, work like a damned person. From the first pitch, I aimed to be the best in the world. Going out on the court at an early age was my blessing. And daily trainings with full dedication gave results, ”Jahangir Khan explained.
Numerous 8-hour workouts 6 days a week proved Jahangir's technique to perfection, his every movement was precisely calculated and perfectly perfect.
In an interview, he talked about his innate ability to sublimate negative energy into positive. During each game in whatever state he was, it turned into a victory, because all efforts were aimed precisely at striving for victory. Jahangir seemed to be switching from real life to the world of the game and concentrating all his energy on tactics and movements. He spent thousands of hours polishing his tactics, which made him very confident and collected on the court and physically tough.
The phenomenal winning streak was emotionally difficult for Jahangir, as responsibility grew with each game. He had no room for error. Stability in character and tough self-discipline allowed Khan to confidently walk this path and not give up.
Life after retirement
Jahangir Khan retired as a player in 1993 after helping Pakistan win the World Team Championship in his hometown of Karachi.
In 2002-2008 he worked as president of the World Squash Federation. Later, in 2008, he became the honorary president of the World Squash Federation.
He promotes junior squash and has his own academy (squash, tennis, gym) in the city of Karachi.
This is mainly a charitable project.
