Jump to content

Jansher Khan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 223.181.174.124 (talk) at 09:26, 10 October 2024. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Jansher Khan
PP SI HI NI
Personal information
Native nameجان شیر خان
Nickname(s)King Khan, The Punisher
Citizenship Pakistan
Born (1969-06-15) 15 June 1969 (age 55)
Peshawar, Pakistan
Occupation(s)
 • National Head Squash Coach to Pakistan Squash Federation
(2010–2011)

 • 1st Advisor to the President of the Pakistan Squash Federation
(2010–2012), (2015–2018)

[1]  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Head Squash Coach (2020-2023)[2]
Years active1986–2023
Employer Pakistan Armed Forces (1984) [3]
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Spouse(s)
• Violet Sough (m.1986; div.1989)

• Naseem (m.1989)

Children
3, including Kamran Khan Ayaz SherKhan, Ali SherKhan
Sport
Country Pakistan
SportSquash
Rank
From the Pakistan Government

1988 • Pride of Performance[4]
1993 • Sitara-i-Imtiaz[4]
1997 • Hilal-e-Imtiaz [4]

2023 • Nishan-i-Imtiaz
World Open
1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
FederationPakistan Squash Federation
Turned pro1986
RetiredSeptember 2002
Achievements and titles
Highest world rankingNo. 1 (January 1988 till January 1998) (513 weeks) (118 months) (9.8 Years)
Updated on January 8, 2024

Jansher Khan PP SI HI NI (Pashto:جان شیر خان ; born 15 June 1969)[5][6][7] is a former World No. 1 professional Pakistani squash player. During his career, he won the World Open a record eight times, and the British Open six times. Jansher Khan is widely regarded as one of the greatest squash players of all time. Ranked number 1 in the world for a decade, from January 1988 till January 1998, (513 weeks/118 months/9.8 Years) Jansher Khan retired in the year 2001. He was troubled by back, knee and groin injuries throughout his career. During his career, he won PSA Professional 293 matches out of total 331, PSA Professional Tour Finals 99 out of 118 and from 1990 until 1996 in 81 matches he was unbeaten for a record six years; this was the longest winning matches streak in top-level professional sports as recorded by Guinness World Records.[8][9]

Career

Jansher Khan first came to prominence at the age of 16 when he won the World Junior Squash Championships in Australia in 1986 and then the Senior World Open title in the same year, by beating Australia's Chris Dittmar in the final. At the age of 16, he became the youngest winner in the history of squash and in the same year, he also defeated world No.1 Jahangir Khan in the Hong Kong Open and kept defeating him in consecutive 7 matches.

Jansher Khan started his career as an employee of Pakistan Air Force.[citation needed] During his career, he won PSA Professional 293 matches out of a total 331, PSA Professional Tour Finals 99 out of 118 and from 1990 until 1996 in 81 matches he was unbeaten for record six years; his longest winning matches streak in top-level professional sports as recorded by Guinness World Records.[8] His main competitor Jahangir Khan won PSA Professional 134 matches out of a total 164, PSA Professional Tour Finals 61 out of 80 and from 1981 until 1986 in 70 matches he was unbeaten for five years.

Jansher Khan announced his retirement from squash in 2001.[10] In late 2011 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 2020, after suffering from severe back pain while praying and walking, Khan underwent double back surgery successfully at a Shifa International hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan.[11][8]

Jansher Khan had these words of advice for young players after his successful surgery:

"I would advise today's young players that along with their hard training they must take special care of their back, knee and groin injuries and treat minor ailments timely to avoid serious problems in future."[8]

Squash Coaching

In September 2020, at the request of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan, Jansher Khan joined the Directorate General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a head squash coach.

The facilities available to athletes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are unmatched in most other countries. On his appointment, Jansher Khan said, “I will do my best to fill the gap created in the game of squash and make the country a new world champion.”[2]

Jahangir Khan rivalry

One of the major squash rivals of Jansher Khan was Jahangir Khan, who was also his Pakistani counterpart. During the 1980s and 1990s, Jansher Khan and Jahangir Khan won the majority of the 14 World Open titles and 16 British Open titles. The records cover the 37 tournament matches, besides exhibition and league matches, played between Jansher Khan and Jahangir Khan from their first meeting at the Pakistan Open in 1986 to the Spanish Open in March 1991. Out of those 37 matches, Jansher won 19 matches and Jahangir won 18.[12]

From 36 matches played between Jansher Khan and Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan won 19 Matches and Jahangir Khan won 17 matches.[13]

36 Matches (19 Win, 17 runner-up)

Year Total Matches Played Won By Jansher Khan Won By Jahangir Khan
1986 1 0 1
1987 11 7 4
1988 8 3 5
1989 9 2 7
1990 5 5 0
1991 2 2 0
Total 36 19 17

36 Matches (19 Win, 17 runner-up)

Outcome Year Tournament Round Opponent Score in the final
Runner-up 1986 Pakistan Open First-Round Pakistan Jahangir Khan 9–6, 9–6, 5–9, 9–3
1987 Spanish Open Final 9–6, 7–9, 9–7, 9–1
1987 British Open 9–6, 9–0, 9–5
Winner 1987 Hong Kong Open Semi-Final 9-2, 10–8, 9–2
1987 Pakistan Open Final 1–9, 1–9, 10–8, 9–5, 9–0
1987 World Open Semi-Final 3–9, 9–4, 9–7, 9–7
1987 US Open 17–16, 8–15, 4–15, 15–10, 15–3
1987 Swiss Masters 7–9, 2–9, 10–8, 9–1, 10–9
1987 PIA Masters Final 9–2, 5–9, 9–4, 5–9, 9–2
1987 Al-Falaj Masters Semi-Final 9-2, 9–2, 5–9, 9–2
Runner-up 1987 Dubai Challenge Match - 9-6, 9–5, 9–1
1987 Abu Dhabi Challenge Match - 9–4, 8–10, 9–1, 9–7
Winner 1988 Spanish Open Final 5–9, 9–6, 9–6, 9,0
Runner-up 1988 French Open 15–9, 10–15, 15–13, 15–5
Winner 1988 Monaco Open 3–9, 3–9, 9–3, 9–0, 9–4
Runner-up 1988 World Open 9–6, 9–2, 9–2
Winner 1988 Singapore Open 15–8, 15–11, 9–15, 10–15, 15–9
Runner-up 1988 Pakistan Open 16–17, 10–15, 15–9, 15–9, 15–7
1988 President's Gold Cup 15–10, 15–7, 10–15, 15–8
1988 Al-Falaj Open 9–0, 10–8, 2–9, 9–1
1989 Mennen Cup 12–15, 15–12, 15–2, 15–7
1989 Spanish Open 15–10, 15–12, 15–7
Winner 1988 Monaco Open 7–15, 15–11, 7–15, 15–12, 15–7
Runner-up 1989 Working Challenge Match - 16–17, 10–15, 15–9, 15–8, 15–7
1989 AIWA Invitation Match Final 9-15, 15–10, 15–6, 3–15, 15–5
1989 Pakistan Open 15–11, 15–12, 15–10
1989 C.O.A. Trophy 0–9, 7–9, 9–2, 9–2, 9–1
Winner 1989 Canadian Open 15–4, 7–15, 15–6, 9–15, 15–7
Runner-up 1989 Stuttgart Open 15–9, 15–13, 15–14
Winner 1990 Mennen Cup Semi-Final 17-15, 15–12, 15–9
1990 Austrian Open Final 13-15, 15–11, 15–12, 15–5
1990 Pakistan Open 9–2, 4–9, 9–2, 9–2
1990 President's Gold Cup 7–9, 5–9, 9–2, 9–2, 9–5
1990 Pimm's Premier League - 9-1, 7–9, 9–4, 9–2
1991 Pimm's Premier League - 8-10, 9–2, 9–2, 9–1
1991 Spanish Open Final 15-11, 10–15, 15–4, 15–7

Awards and recognition

Career

Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Winner 1987 Birmingham, England Australia Chris Dittmar 9–5, 9–4, 4–9, 9–6
Runner-up 1988 Amsterdam, Netherlands Pakistan Jahangir Khan 9–6, 9–2, 9–2
Winner 1989 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Australia Chris Dittmar 7–15, 6–15, 15–4, 15–11, 15–10
1990 Toulouse, France –8, 17–15, 13–15, 15–5
1992 Johannesburg, South Africa 5–11, 15–9, 10–15, 15–6
1993 Karachi, Pakistan Pakistan Jahangir Khan 14–15, 15–9, 15–5, 15–5
1994 Barcelona, Spain England Peter Marshall 10–15, 15–11, 15–8, 15–4
1995 Nicosia, Cyprus England Del Harris 15–10, 17–14, 16–17, 15–8
1996 Karachi, Pakistan Australia Rodney Eyles 15–13, 17–15, 11–15, 15–3
Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Runner-up 1987 London, England Pakistan Jahangir Khan 9–6, 9–0, 9–5
1991 2–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–0
Winner 1992 Australia Chris Robertson 9–7, 10–9, 9–5
1993 Australia Chris Dittmar 9–6, 9–5, 6–9, 9–2
1994 Australia Brett Martin 9–1, 9–0, 9–10, 9–1
1995 Cardiff, Wales England Peter Marshall 15–4, 15–4, 15–5
1996 Australia Rodney Eyles 15–13, 15–8, 15–10
1997 Scotland Peter Nicol 17–15, 9–15, 15–12, 8–15, 15–8
Runner-up 1998 Birmingham, England 17–16, 15–4, 15–5
Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Winner 1987 Hong Kong Australia Chris Dittmar 9–6, 9–2, 9–5
1988 15-11, 9–15, 15–6, 12–15, 15–1
1989 5–8, 16–17, 15–2, 15–6
1990 Australia Chris Robertson 15–6, 14–15, 15–10, 15–5
1991 Australia Tristan Nancarrow 16–17, 15–6, 15–17, 15–4, 15–5
1994 Scotland Peter Nicol 15–7, 15–10, 15–6
1995 Australia Brett Martin 15–12, 15–7, 15–3
Runner-up 1996 Australia Rodney Eyles 15–10, 15–10, 15–5
Winner 1997 Canada Jonathon Power 14–15, 15–12, 15–7, 15–2
Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Winner 1987 Pakistan Pakistan Jahangir Khan 1–9, 9–1, 10–8, 9–5, 9–0
Runner-up 1988 16–17, 10–15, 15–9, 15–9, 15–7
1989 15–11, 15–12, 15–10
Winner 1990 9–2, 4–9, 9–2, 9–2
Runner-up 1991 9–15, 15–10, 15–10, 15–5
Winner 1992 15–13, 15–5, 15–12
1994 England Peter Marshall 14–15, 15–14, 15–10, 9–15, 15–6
1995 Australia Rodney Eyles 15–9, 15–12, 15–8
1997 Australia Anthony Hill 15–11, 15–7, 15–8
Outcome Year Location Opponent in the final Score in the final
Winner 1993 Zürich, Switzerland Australia Chris Dittmar 15–10, 10–15, 15–13, 15–8
1994 England Peter Marshall 8–15, 15–8, 15–7, 15–9
1997 Hatfield, England Australia Brett Martin 9–7, 9–5, 9–2
1998 England Simon Parke 15–12, 13–15, 15–11, 15–10
Sporting positions
Preceded by Official Men's Squash World Ranking
January 1988 – January 1998 		Succeeded by

References

  1. ^ "Squash legend Jansher Khan appointed head coach to PSF". DAWN.COM. 21 December 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Jansher Khan Appointed Head Coach of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate". 17 September 2020.
  3. ^ https://www.worldsquash.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/210118__Jansher-Khan-Hall-of-Fame.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ a b c "Jansher Khan's awards for Squash listed on Pakistan Sports Board website". Pakistan Sports Board website. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  5. ^ Andrew Shelley. "Profile of Jansher Khan". Encyclopedia Britannica website. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Profile of Jansher Khan". the-south-asian.com website. November 2001. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  7. ^ Raju Chainani (20 August 2004). "Jansher Khan: "The Last Emperor...a retrospective of a championship career". Squash Talk Player Profiles website. Archived from the original on 20 February 2006. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d Jansher undergoes double back surgery successfully Dawn (newspaper), Published 1 August 2020, Retrieved 8 September 2020
  9. ^ Ian Sansom (30 July 2010). "Great dynasties of the world: The Khans". The Guardian (newspaper). Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  10. ^ "2001 – a disastrous year for Pakistan squash". Dawn (newspaper). 31 December 2001. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  11. ^ "Squash great Jansher Khan diagnosed with Parkinson's disease". The Times of India. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  12. ^ Squash (17 April 2019). "Jahangir vs. Jansher: Who Was The Best?". Winning Squash. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  13. ^ Williams, Martin (24 August 2019). "Jansher Khan V Jahangir Khan – Rilvary, Matches, Legacy". sportscentaur.com. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  14. ^ a b c "Jansher Khan". Pakistan Olympic Association.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jansher_Khan&oldid=1250423159"