Nicol David raih emas Sukan Dunia 2013

WIFEY_KETIAK · Post time 6-8-2013 09:53 AM

RATU skuasy negara, Datuk Nicol David mencipta hatrik apabila meraih gelaran juara buat kali ketiga berturut-turut pada kejohanan Sukan Dunia 2013 di Cali, Colombia.

Juara dunia itu meraih pingat emas selepas menewaskan pencabarnya Natalie Grinham dari Belanda dengan 3-0.

Menurut laman web kejohanan www.worldgames2013.com.co, Nicol menundukkan Natalie dengan straight set 11-6, 11-9, dan 11-8.

Sementara itu, pingat gangsa diraih Camille Serme dari Perancis selepas mengalahkan seorang lagi wakil negara Low Wee Wern 3-0 dengan mata 11-8, 11-4 dan 11-4.

Nicol sebelum ini merangkul emas pada kejohanan empat tahun sekali ini di Duisburg, Jerman pada 2005 dan Kaohsiung, Taiwan pada 2009.

nurul_akmar · Post time 7-8-2013 03:56 AM

Wartawan "bijak" dan paling byk buat homework sblm publish article ni

Malaysia's finest deserve even more

By Vijesh Rai

FOR one, it is now merely a case of how many more achievements and accolades can be added to an already impressive collection.
For the other, the next few days represent probably the final opportunity to land a big one after several heartbreaking near misses.
But whatever happens, Nicol David and Lee Chong Wei will always be remembered as two athletes who brought great honour to Malaysia.
Both are icons and their images are used by their respective international federations in a bid to widen the appeal of their sports globally.
In fact, Nicol has been at the forefront of squash's bid for Olympic inclusion and one can only hope that the seven-time world champion's efforts are rewarded by the International Olympic Committee when it meets next month to decide on the one additional sport for the 2020 Games.
Playing in the Olympics is Nicol's one remaining dream, and she has said that should squash be successful, she will strive to play in 2020 even though she will be 37 then.
Given her indomitable spirit, it won't come as a surprise but whether she will be able to win the gold, or a medal even, is debatable as age is catching up with her.
The chasing pack has narrowed the gap and the fact that Nicol hasn't won a single WSA Tour title this year, despite featuring in three events, is a sign that perhaps her powers are waning.
This is something which happens to all great athletes and a classic example is tennis star Roger Federer, who was almost unbeatable in his prime but is now losing to players ranked much lower.
That Nicol will continue to fight hard is something that cannot be doubted but Malaysia has to accept that she may no longer be able to dominate as she did in the past.