Gawad Becomes Fifth Egyptian Male to Reach World
No.1
World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad has overtaken Frenchman Gregory
Gaultier to become just the fifth Egyptian player ever to top
the PSA Men’s World Rankings, released today (May 1).
Gawad began the season ranked at No.8 but his stunning form over
the past eight months has seen him claim five PSA World Tour
titles, including major titles at the PSA Men’s World
Championship, J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions and Qatar
Classic.
The 25-year-old from Giza claimed top spot by reaching the final
of last month’s El Gouna International Squash Open and, despite
losing the title-decider to Gaultier, follows in the footsteps
of compatriots Amr Shabana, Karim Darwish, Ramy Ashour and
Mohamed ElShorbagy, who have all topped the World Rankings over
the past 11 years.
"It means a lot to me, I’ve always had two dreams in my squash
career, to be World No.1 and to win the World Championship, so
to achieve both dreams in the same season is a dream come true,"
said Gawad.
"To be the fifth male Egyptian to reach World No.1 and to follow
in the footsteps of the best Egyptian players of all time is a
great pleasure. They are all legends of squash and a great
image, not only for the sport but also for Egypt.
"I still have lots of goals and will work hard on them. I really
want to win more World Championships, win the British Open - one
of the most prestigious tournaments in squash - win the World
Series Finals and to stay at World No.1 for as long as
possible."
Gaultier slips down to No.2, ahead of ElShorbagy and England’s
Nick Matthew, while the younger ElShorbagy brother, Marwan,
completes the top five.
Former World No.1 James Willstrop and three-time World Champion
Ramy Ashour both move up a spot to No.6 and No.7, respectively,
with Ali Farag dropping two places to No.8. Fares Dessouky
retains his No.9 ranking and his compatriot, Tarek Momen, moves
up one place to No.10, switching places with Germany’s Simon
Rösner.
Daryl Selby, Paul Coll, Ryan Cuskelly and Borja Golan remain in
the world’s top 15, with Mohamed Abouelghar enjoying a
three-place rise to a career-high No.16 ranking.
20-year-old Diego Elias is also on the rise and advances from
No.22 to No.19 to move into the top 20 for the first time in his
career - becoming the highest ranked South American on the Tour
and also the first Peruvian ever to reach the top 20.
Elsewhere, South Africa's Stephen Coppinger falls two places to
close out the top 20, while Mexico’s Cesar Salazar drops out.