New Delhi: Malaysian star Nicol David reached a new milestone in her illustrious career when she was inducted into the World Squash Federation's Hall of Fame.
Ranked number one on the women's circuit, David became the first active player in the history of the sport to receive the honour.
The induction was conducted by fellow countryman HRH Tunku Imran at a gala dinner in Rotterdam as part of the World Squash Awards programme at the World Open Championships.
Imran, the WSF Patron and an IOC member, is himself a former Malaysian national squash champion.
Less than 24 hours later, David made further history by winning a record sixth Women's World Open crown, crushing England's world No 2 Jenny Duncalf in one of the fastest world championship finals on record.
"It is great to be recognised while I am still competing - and to have my achievements compared with the top players in history," said the 28-year-old from Penang. "It is truly fantastic and I am really honoured."
After becoming the first ever double winner of the biennial world junior title in 2001, David went on to begin an unbroken reign at the top of the world rankings in August 2006 - in March this year becoming the second longest-standing world number one of all-time.
Her Rotterdam triumph took her WISPA World Tour title tally to 56 - just six short of the current record held by Sarah Fitz-Gerald, the legendary Australian whose five world title record David overtook.
"I played my best match ever to win my sixth World title," admitted David after her Rotterdam triumph. "But I would happily trade all my six world titles for Olympic Gold."
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