It is official, you guys!

When it comes to the greatest World Games athlete we've ever seen, she is one of us.

A worthy winner

Squash legend Nicol David has officially been crowned the World Games' Greatest Athlete of All Time.

The now retired eight-time world champion squash player received the most votes out of ten shortlisted athletes in the final round of voting which ended at 9pm on Monday (1 February).

The 37-year-old, who was the only Asian to make the shortlist, collected a whopping 318,945 votes.

Her nearest rivals came nowhere close to unseating David: tug-of-war athlete James Kehoe from Ireland received 113,120 votes while powerlifter Larysa Soloviova of Ukraine garnered 80,790 votes to come in at second and third place respectively. 

And David, who won three gold medals and one bronze medal over four outings in the World Games, wants you to know that she appreciates all your love.

“These past few days I’ve been truly overwhelmed by all the love. You took your time to vote and share with your family, friends and media about my nomination.

“It means the world to me how each of you have taken this to heart and I want to give my heart back to you all,” she was quoted as saying.

Just like one of her dominating squash matches, David led the field in voting from the get go, and notching 300,000 votes from the overall 1,204,637 votes casted is indeed an achievement of its own.

A total of 23 past and present athletes representing various sports from all editions of the World Games' 40-year history were nominated for the worldwide poll.

Another feather on her cap

After spending nine years at the top of the women’s squash world rankings and winning 81 professional titles, the Penangite called time on her professional career back in 2019.

The squash legend achieved a lot in her 20-year career, but these are some of her most memorable achievements:

#1 Eight-time world champion

#2 G.O.A.T

#3 Longest reigning no.1 player in the world

#4 Youngest person ever to be awarded a Datukship

#5 56-match winning streak

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