Jansher Khan
Jansher Khan PP SI HI NI (Urdu: جان شیر خان; born 15 June 1969, in Peshawar, Pakistan)[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 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 record six years; his longest winning matches streak in top-level professional sports as recorded by Guinness World Records.[8][9]
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Native name | جان شیر خان |
| Nickname(s) | King Khan, The Punisher |
| Citizenship |  Pakistan |
| Born | June 15, 1969 Peshawar, Pakistan |
| Occupation(s) | • National Head Squash Coach to Pakistan Squash Federation [1]
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Head Squash Coach (2020-2023)[2](2010–2011) • 1st Advisor to the President of the Pakistan Squash Federation |
| Years active | 1986–2023 |
| Employer |  Pakistan Armed Forces (1984) [3] |
| Height | 6 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 |
| Sport | Squash |
| Rank | From the Pakistan Government
2023 • Nishan-i-Imtiaz1988 • Pride of Performance[4] |
| World Open | 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
|
| Federation | Pakistan Squash Federation |
| Turned pro | 1986 |
| Retired | September 2002 |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Highest world ranking | No. 1 (January 1988 till January 1998) (513 weeks) (118 months) (9.8 Years) |
| Updated on January 8, 2024. | |
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. 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 | 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
- Pride of Performance Awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1988[14]
- Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1993[14]
- Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Awarded by the President of Pakistan in 1997[14]
Career
- World Championships: 9 finals (8 winner, 1 runner-up)
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1987 | Birmingham, England | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Chris Dittmar | 9–5, 9–4, 4–9, 9–6 |
| Runner-up | 1988 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Jahangir Khan | 9-6, 9-2, 9-2 |
| Winner | 1989 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 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 | Jahangir Khan | 14–15, 15–9, 15–5, 15–5 | |
| 1994 | Barcelona, Spain |  Peter Marshall | 10–15, 15–11, 15–8, 15–4 | |
| 1995 | Nicosia, Cyprus | Del Harris | 15–10, 17–14, 16–17, 15–8 | |
| 1996 | Karachi, Pakistan | Rodney Eyles | 15–13, 17–15, 11–15, 15–3 |
- British Open: 9 finals (6 winner, 3 runner-up)
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runner-up | 1987 | London, England | Jahangir Khan | 9–6, 9–0, 9–5 |
| 1991 | 2–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–0 | |||
| Winner | 1992 | Chris Robertson | 9–7, 10–9, 9–5 | |
| 1993 | Chris Dittmar | 9–6, 9–5, 6–9, 9–2 | ||
| 1994 | Brett Martin | 9–1, 9–0, 9–10, 9–1 | ||
| 1995 | Cardiff, Wales | Peter Marshall | 15–4, 15–4, 15–5 | |
| 1996 | Rodney Eyles | 15–13, 15–8, 15–10 | ||
| 1997 |  Peter Nicol | 17–15, 9–15, 15–12, 8–15, 15–8 | ||
| Runner-up | 1998 | Birmingham, England | 17–16, 15–4, 15–5 |
- Hong Kong Squash Open: 9 finals (8 winner, 1 runner-up)
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1987 | Hong Kong | 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 | Chris Robertson | 15-6, 14-15, 15-10, 15-5 | ||
| 1991 | Tristan Nancarrow | 16-17, 15-6, 15-17, 15-4, 15-5 | ||
| 1994 | Peter Nicol | 15-7, 15-10, 15-6 | ||
| 1995 | Brett Martin | 15-12, 15-7, 15-3 | ||
| Runner-up | 1996 | Rodney Eyles | 15-10, 15-10, 15-5 | |
| Winner | 1997 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Jonathon Power | 14-15, 15-12, 15-7, 15-2 |
- Pakistan Open: 9 finals (6 winner, 3 runner-up)
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1987 | 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 | Peter Marshall | 14-15, 15-14, 15-10, 9-15, 15-6 | ||
| 1995 | Rodney Eyles | 15-9, 15-12, 15-8 | ||
| 1997 | Anthony Hill | 15-11, 15-7, 15-8 |
- World Super Series: 4 finals (4 winner, 0 runner-up)
| Outcome | Year | Location | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1993 | Zürich, Switzerland | Chris Dittmar | 15-10, 10-15, 15-13, 15-8 |
| 1994 | Peter Marshall | 8-15, 15-8, 15-7, 15-9 | ||
| 1997 | Hatfield, England | Brett Martin | 9-7, 9-5, 9-2 | |
| 1998 | Simon Parke | 15-12, 13-15, 15-11, 15-10 |
References
- "Squash legend Jansher Khan appointed head coach to PSF". DAWN.COM. 21 December 2010.
- "Jansher Khan Appointed Head Coach of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate". 17 September 2020.
- https://www.worldsquash.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/210118__Jansher-Khan-Hall-of-Fame.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - "Jansher Khan's awards for Squash listed on Pakistan Sports Board website". Pakistan Sports Board website. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- Andrew Shelley. "Profile of Jansher Khan". Encyclopedia Britannica website. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- "Profile of Jansher Khan". the-south-asian.com website. November 2001. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- 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.
- Jansher undergoes double back surgery successfully Dawn (newspaper), Published 1 August 2020, Retrieved 8 September 2020
- Ian Sansom (30 July 2010). "Great dynasties of the world: The Khans". The Guardian (newspaper). Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- "2001 – a disastrous year for Pakistan squash". Dawn (newspaper). 31 December 2001. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- "Squash great Jansher Khan diagnosed with Parkinson's disease". The Times of India. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- Squash (17 April 2019). "Jahangir vs. Jansher: Who Was The Best?". Winning Squash. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- Williams, Martin (24 August 2019). "Jansher Khan V Jahangir Khan – Rilvary, Matches, Legacy". sportscentaur.com. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- "Jansher Khan". Pakistan Olympic Association.
External links
- Jansher Khan – PSA World Tour profile at the Wayback Machine (archived 2013-04-03)
- Jansher Khan at Squash Info
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