Hashim Khan
British India, (now Pakistan) | |
Died | (aged 100) Aurora, Colorado, U.S. |
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Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)[1] |
Hashim Khan
Early life
Hashim Khan was born in Nawakille, a small village near
Career
Hashim Khan's father, Abdullah Khan, was the Head Steward at a club in Peshawar where British army officers stationed in the area played squash.
In 1950, Abdul Bari, a distant relative of Khan's who had chosen to remain in Bombay after the Partition of India in 1947, and who Hashim had beaten in several tournaments in India before partition, was sponsored by the Indian Government to play at the British Open where he finished runner-up to the Egyptian player Mahmoud Karim. This spurred Khan to seek backing to compete in the British Open the following year.[5] In 1951, when Khan was in his 30s, the government of Pakistan – particularly the Pakistan Air Force – sponsored him for the British Squash Championship. It was the first time Hashim Khan wore shoes on the squash court.[1] Khan travelled to the United Kingdom to play in the British Open, and won the title beating Mahmoud Karim in the final 9–5, 9–0, 9–0.[1][3] He again beat Karim in the final in 1952 9–5, 9–7, 9–0. He won again for the next four consecutive years, beating R.B.R. Wilson of England in the 1953 final; his younger brother Azam Khan in two tight five-set finals in 1954 and 1955; and Roshan Khan in the final of 1956. Hashim Khan was runner-up to Roshan Khan in 1957, and won his seventh and final British Open title in 1958, when he beat Azam Khan in the final.[3] Hashim Khan also won five British Professional Championship titles, three US Open titles, and three Canadian Open titles.[2][5][6]
Hashim Khan relocated to the USA in the 1960s, after being invited to teach squash at the Uptown Athletic Club in Detroit.
Personal life
Hashim Khan had a total of 12 children. His eldest son Sharif Khan became a player on the North American hardball squash circuit in the 1970s, winning a record 12 North American Open titles.[1] Six other sons – Aziz, Gulmast, Liaqat Ali ("Charlie"), Salim ("Sam"), Shaukat, and Mo – also became hardball squash players.[2]
His granddaughter Maria Khan plays professional soccer.[7]
British Open final appearances
Wins (7) | ||
Year | Opponent in final | Score in final |
1951 | Mahmoud Karim | 9–5, 9–0, 9–0 |
1952 | Mahmoud Karim | 9–5, 9–7, 9–0 |
1953 | R.B.R. Wilson | 9–2, 8–10, 9–1, 9–0 |
1954 | Azam Khan | 6–9, 9–6, 9–6, 7–9, 9–5 |
1955 | Azam Khan | 9–7, 7–9, 9–7, 5–9, 9–7 |
1956 | Roshan Khan | 9–4, 9–2, 5–9, 9–5 |
1958 | Azam Khan | 9–7, 6–9, 9–6, 9–7 |
Runners-up (1) | ||
Year | Opponent in final | Score in final |
1957 | Roshan Khan | 6–9, 9–5, 9–2, 9–1 |
Awards and recognition
- Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 1958[8]
- Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam by the Government of Pakistan in 1959[8]
- Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award by the Government of Pakistan in 2008[9][10]
Death and legacy
On 18 August 2014, Khan died in his home in Aurora, Colorado due to congestive heart failure. He was widely believed to be 100 years old.[1][6]
Hashim Khan was known for his sportsmanship spirit. Showing respect for other players, he always allowed his opponents to leave the court first.[4]
Condolences and tributes
The World Squash Federation President Narayana Ramachandran paid a tribute to Hashim Khan, "After a wonderfully long and active life we are now left with memories of a great champion, a great man who has made a wonderful contribution to squash. Hashim's passing has taken somebody so special from us. As we remember him we send our condolences and best wishes to his family at this very sad time," he said.[11]
Pakistan Squash Federation President Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt expressed grief over his death and remembered him for his achievements.[12]
Other Pakistani players like
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Adam Bernstein (19 August 2014). "Hashim Khan, seven-time world squash champion, dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "A Legend, at 93, Still Chases the Game". The New York Times. 30 December 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Rob Dinerman (26 November 2001). "The Khan Family, A Squash Dynasty". SquashTalk website. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Squash great Hashim Khan in poor health". Dawn (newspaper). 2 August 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Air chief expresses grief on death of Hashim Khan". The Frontier Post. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
- ^ a b c "Pakistan mourns legend Hashim Khan". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 19 August 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ Reporter, Sports; pkadmin (21 January 2023). "Who is Maria Khan, Pakistani footballer who scored a stunner against Saudi Arabia?". The Pakistan Observer Digital. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ a b Hashim Khan's award info on Pakistan Sports Board website Retrieved 21 July 2020
- ^ Hashim Khan Receives Highest Pakistani Honor Squash (magazine), Published September 2008, Retrieved 13 July 2019
- ^ 137 Pakistanis, 17 foreigners get civil awards Dawn (newspaper), Published 15 August 2007, Retrieved 13 July 2019
- ^ "World squash pays tribute to Hashim Khan". The News International (newspaper). 20 August 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
- ^ "Air chief expresses grief on death of Hashim Khan". The Frontier Post. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
- ^ "Celebrating Hashim Khan". Google. 4 April 2020.
Further reading
- Khan, Hashim, Squash racquets: the Khan game, Wayne State University Press, 1967.
- Khan, Hashim, Keep eye on ball, is most important one thing I tell you, New York : Simon & Schuster, 1996. ISBN 0-684-81324-6