Nicol David is crowned The World Games Greatest Athlete of All Time! In an online vote on The World Games website, the Malaysian Squash superstar and former United Nations Development Program Ambassador for Malaysia amassed a total of 318,943 votes, and at the end of the poll confirmed as the winner. All in all, 1,204,637 votes have been cast during the poll.
“I would like to warmly congratulate Nicol David and all the other candidates in the race. Nicol David is an inspirational athlete and a fine role model for younger athletes. The race was incredible, and it was good to see how athletes got support not only from their sport but also from their country and the highest sports authorities there. Sports really unite people in a special way and this vote was a celebration of that,” said IWGA President José Perurena.
“It is a huge honor to be nominated by The World Games for the Greatest Athlete of All Time and to gain so much support from everyone in Malaysia and the squash community.
“It came as a surprise to see me amongst other top athletes and I'm grateful for this. Hopefully, it can elevate attention for the future of squash, and it’s a proud moment to represent my country and Asia,” David (MAS) says.
President Zena Wooldridge of the World Squash Federation says, "Nicol has beaten several distinguished athletes for first place and her victory is recognition of a wonderful career.
"Not only is Nicol one of the greatest athletes of all time, but she is also a tremendous role model for thousands of people across the globe and a true ambassador for our sport. I'm delighted to see the support Nicol enjoyed from our passionate and loyal squash community, and we are all proud to see her named as The World Games Greatest Athlete of All Time.”
Nicol recently shared more with Protective Life about squash, the Nicol David Foundation, and what her favorite World Games memory is.
Q: What does it mean for you to receive over 300,000 votes and be recognized for your contribution to the sport?
It feels amazing to get so much support from everybody in Malaysia, my family and friends and the squash community that voted for me. It was overwhelming to see this and I am truly grateful for the support.
Q: While you’re well known in squash, you’ve also received an Honorary Doctorate in Sports Science from the University of Science Malaysia. What has this honor meant to you?
The honor by USM is something I am proud of because I was recognized through my sports achievement even without going to university. It was very special to me to receive this doctorate and be acknowledged by one of our top universities in Malaysia and my hometown, Penang.
Q: Tell us about the Nicol David Foundation. What is your goal for the Foundation’s legacy?
The foundation is in the final registration process and why I am back in Malaysia to continue the process. It’s based in Kuala Lumpur and will be called the ‘Nicol David Organization’ to empower girls and boys through sport and education. We will be using squash to instill the values that sports have to offer for these children. We will also work with English education to increase their proficiency in the language. We want to journey alongside the children through their primary years and help where we can. Our goal is to give them the tools and values that will help them learn healthy habits and look after their well-being.
Q: Has COVID affected your training or sporting events? If so, how have you adjusted or adapted to ensure you stay safe?
As a retired athlete, I am fine doing my home workouts during COVID-19. However, it has affected the squash tour with events getting canceled. They are slowly getting back into it as things settle down some. I empathize with the squash players and all the athletes that are without competitions and are having difficulty training. As they break through these challenges, they are coming back stronger and tougher.
Q: How would you describe squash to someone who isn’t familiar with the sport?
Squash is played by two people on a court with four walls, and just like tennis, each player uses a racket. Instead of hitting a ball over a net, the player has to hit a rubber ball against the front wall that rebounds for the next player to hit it back. All walls can be used to rebound the ball but the ball has to hit the front wall once to be counted. Squash is like chess and boxing combined. Each player is looking for ways to hit the ball away from their opponent. The first person to get 11 points in a set and wins three out of five sets, wins the match.
Q: What is your favorite World Games memory?
Winning a gold medal in California and playing in front of the vibrant Colombian crowd. I had the best time, and it was truly amazing with the vibe there.
Q: What are your plans for the upcoming year?
To keep working on the foundation and to continue doing motivational talks in Malaysia with corporations, NGOs and educational institutions. By sharing my story I hope to inspire people to go for what they want to do in their lives while also advocating for women, youth and sports through my brand ambassador roles.
Q: What one piece of advice would you give to any athlete working to qualify for The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA?
Keep staying positive with training and preparation for the games. If you want to qualify, work hard and keep striving to push through any barrier you face. Wishing you all the best and hope to see you all there!
In second place in the highest-voted race of all time was Tug of War legend, James Kehoe (IRL). Kehoe, who has participated in nine editions of The World Games and has nine medals from them, got 113,120 votes. The federation is very proud of him, “Within the Tug of War sport, we are used to the longevity and multi-generational participation of our top performers over extended periods. James Kehoe has taken this to the next level, and we are extremely proud that he so ably represented our sport in this prestigious competition and ended up being part of the top 3. Yet another example of age only being a number – if you’re good enough, a prolonged career at the highest level and top-performance is possible. Equally so, I am humbled and extremely proud of how the global Tug of War fraternity has stepped up to the plate and supported James by voting consistently during this competition. A true reflection of the spirit and ethos of our global TWIF family and encapsulated in the person of James Kehoe – a wonderful ambassador for our sport at the highest level and honored by his peers,” President of Tug of War International Federation, Anton Rabe says.
James Kehoe says: “It’s been a very different but exciting few weeks. I am a shy person by nature and prefer to be out of the spotlight, but as the competition progresses, much to my surprise I am enjoying it more. I am overwhelmed by the amount of support I am receiving. It is an honor for me and my club to have been chosen as a competitor in this competition.”
James recently shared more with Protective Life about Tug of War, his accomplishments and the legacy he hopes to leave.
Q: What does it mean for you to receive the award for the 1st runner up as the World Games Greatest Athlete of All Time?
It was a huge honor to be nominated for this award and see the support of so many people who voted for me from around the world. Achieving this award is also their award.
Q: How long have you been competing in tug of war? What about the sport compelled you to try it out?
I have been competing for 45 years. Having nine brothers who all pulled tug of war, it was inevitable that I would line out on the rope also.
Q: If you weren’t competing in tug of war, what other World Games sport would you compete in?
Probably floorball as it resembles our national game in Ireland- Hurling, which is played at school and club.
Q: Can you describe tug of war in five words?
Strength of body and mind.
Q: Has COVID-19 affected your training or sporting events? If so, how have you adjusted or adapted to ensure you stay safe?
Last year there was more individual training, which is not ideal for a team sport, and we only got to compete at National Championships when Government restrictions allowed. No spectators at these competitions seemed very strange also. We are not sure of the circumstances yet for this year.
Q: What about the tug of war competition drew you to it?
What drew me to tug of war was being part of a team that included my brothers who all had a competitive nature, including myself.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I would have to say the 1985 World Games in London where I won two gold medals and had some of my brothers on the team.
Q: What legacy do you hope to leave on the tug of war world?
That after competing for 45 years, it is possible to have a long and successful sporting life.
Q: What one piece of advice would you give to any athlete working to qualify for The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA?
You must stay focused and committed to achieving your goal! Always believe in yourself, stay on that road and you will reach your destination.
In third place finished Larysa Soloviova, Powerlifting legend who has won gold in all editions she has taken part in between 2005 and 2017. Soloviova got 80,790 votes. IPF President Gaston Parage is proud of Soloviova's achievement: "I am happy and proud that the IPF could finally reach third place, even more as at the beginning we were struggling on the ninth position. After tireless motivation, the powerlifting community achieved the goal. I am also happy for Larysa as she deserved this honor, she has won four World Games Editions and the Gofor Medal, which is outstanding proof of her consistency for more than a decade. I want to congratulate the winner of this voting and also the first runner up, but of course, I want to congratulate Larysa who is our champion and a real ambassador for the sport."
Larysa Soloviova says: "During these weeks, we had a great challenge. People all over the world had to choose between many GREAT sportsmen. Each of these sportsmen deserves to be written down in the history of The World Games.
I want to express my gratitude to all the powerlifters and friends of our sport from all parts of the World for their dedication and support! Thank you for constant everyday voting for me and Powerlifting in general.
Thanks to the Ukrainian National Powerlifting Federation, Regional Powerlifting Federations and International Powerlifting Federation for the media support and encouragement! I am very happy that we reached our goal together.
My friends, you proved to the World that Powerlifting is a big and strong sports family, which unites many thousands of faithful hearts beating in one rhythm – the rhythm of Sport.
I strongly believe that our achievement will make a huge push in the promotion of powerlifting."
The fourth finisher, very close to the third, is lifesaver Marcel Hassemeier (GER), who was the most successful athlete of The World Games 2013.
“It is a great honor and pleasure for me to stand alongside such great and successful athletes for the election of the greatest athlete of all time. I congratulate the winners as well as the other nominees on this success and I thank everyone who supported me in this voting with all my heart. I am very happy and proud that my successes will not be forgotten,” he says.
President Graham Ford: “The IWGA should be applauded for the success of this race to establish The World Games Greatest Athlete of All Time. Over the last 40 years, the number of votes cast in total shows just how popular this has been among the athletes of all The World Games Sports. We are delighted to see that lifesaving sport is so highly thought of by others and we are very pleased to see our lifesaver, Marcel Hassemeier, in the top four. He has been an excellent competitor for the German National Team and followed his great success in the Cali World Games in 2013. He also had a stand-out performance at the 2014 Lifesaving World Championships in Montpellier, where he won four gold, one silver and two bronze medals to prove how great a competitor he has been for Lifesaving sport.”
The International World Games Association (initially called the World Games Council) was founded on May 21st in 1980, and the first edition of The World Games was held from July 24th to August 4th 1981 in Santa Clara, California.
“Normally we have a vote for the Athlete of the Year in January. This year, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The World Games, we wanted to do something special. When we decided to look for The World Games Greatest Athlete of All Time, we did not realize we would find 24 such legendary athletes, and it has been a true pleasure for us to follow the vote as well. Nicol David truly deserves her victory! All the 24 candidates will be promoted throughout this year, as they are all legends in their sport,” said IWGA Head of Communications Anna Jacobson.
All results can be found here.
They will get an Athlete of the Year trophy and a branded gift from the Official Sponsor, Protective.
