Hashim Khan facts for kids
 |
|
| Country |  Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Residence | Aurora, Colorado, U.S. |
| Born | 1 July 1914 Peshawar, British India, (now Pakistan)
|
| Died | (aged 100) Aurora, Colorado, U.S.
|
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
Hashim Khan was a legendary squash player from Pakistan. He is famous for winning the British Open Squash Championships seven times. This was considered the most important squash tournament in the world back then. He won it from 1951 to 1956, and again in 1958. Hashim Khan was the leader of the amazing Khan squash family, which was super successful in the sport from the 1950s to the 1980s.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Hashim Khan was born in a small village called Nawakille, near Peshawar in what is now Pakistan. He was born sometime between 1910 and 1914. His exact birthdate is not known, but his family celebrated his 100th birthday on July 1, 2014.
Hashim's father, Abdullah Khan, worked at a British officer's club in Peshawar. This club had squash courts where military men played. Hashim started going to the courts when he was about 8 years old. When his father died when Hashim was 11, he left school. He became a ball boy and cleaner at the squash courts. He would fetch balls for the players. This is how he learned the game, by watching and practicing after the officers were done.
Hashim Khan's Amazing Career
Hashim Khan started as an unpaid ball boy at the club where his father worked. After the officers finished playing, Hashim and the other ball boys would use the courts. This was their chance to practice.
In 1942, Hashim became a squash coach for British Air Force officers. He won his first big title in 1944. This was the All-of-India squash championship in Mumbai. He won this title for the next two years as well.
After Pakistan became an independent country in 1947, Hashim became a squash professional for the Pakistan Air Force. He then won the first Pakistani squash championship in 1949.
Conquering the British Open
In 1951, when Hashim Khan was in his late 30s, the government of Pakistan helped him. They sponsored him to go to the British Squash Championship. This was a huge moment because it was the first time Hashim Khan ever wore shoes on a squash court for a match!
He traveled to the United Kingdom and won the title. He beat Mahmoud Karim in the final match. He won again in 1952, beating Karim once more. Hashim continued his winning streak for four more years. He beat R.B.R. Wilson in 1953. Then, he beat his younger brother, Azam Khan, in two very close matches in 1954 and 1955. In 1956, he defeated his cousin Roshan Khan.
Hashim Khan was the runner-up in 1957, losing to Roshan Khan. But he came back strong in 1958. He won his seventh and final British Open title by beating Azam Khan in the final. Hashim Khan also won many other important titles. These included five British Professional Championship titles, three US Open titles, and three Canadian Open titles.
Life in the USA
In the 1960s, Hashim Khan moved to the USA. He was invited to teach squash at a club in Detroit. Later, he settled in Denver, Colorado. He still played in special veteran matches at the British Open. The Denver Athletic Club still holds a squash tournament every year to honor him.
Family and Legacy
Hashim Khan had 12 children. Many of his sons followed in his footsteps and became professional squash players. His oldest son, Sharif Khan, became very successful. He won a record 12 North American Open titles in the 1970s. Six other sons also became professional hardball squash players. This shows how much the Khan family loved and excelled at squash.
British Open Final Appearances
| Wins (7) | ||
| Year | Opponent in final | Score in final |
| 1951 | Mahmoud Karim | 9–5, 9–0, 9–0 |
| 1952 | Mahmoud Karim | 9–5, 9–7, 9–0 |
| 1953 | R.B.R. Wilson | 9–2, 8–10, 9–1, 9–0 |
| 1954 | Azam Khan | 6–9, 9–6, 9–6, 7–9, 9–5 |
| 1955 | Azam Khan | 9–7, 7–9, 9–7, 5–9, 9–7 |
| 1956 | Roshan Khan | 9–4, 9–2, 5–9, 9–5 |
| 1958 | Azam Khan | 9–7, 6–9, 9–6, 9–7 |
| Runners-up (1) | ||
| Year | Opponent in final | Score in final |
| 1957 | Roshan Khan | 6–9, 9–5, 9–2, 9–1 |
Awards and Recognition
Hashim Khan received many important awards for his achievements:
- Pride of Performance Award from the President of Pakistan in 1958.
- Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam from the Government of Pakistan in 1959.
- Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award from the Government of Pakistan in 2008.
Death and Tributes
Hashim Khan passed away on August 18, 2014, at his home in Aurora, Colorado. He was believed to be 100 years old.
He was known for his great sportsmanship. He always showed respect for other players. He would let his opponents leave the court first, showing his humble nature.
Many people and organizations shared their sadness and respect after his death. The President of the World Squash Federation, Narayana Ramachandran, said Hashim Khan was a "great champion" and a "great man." The President of the Pakistan Squash Federation also expressed grief. Important Pakistani leaders, like the Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif and the President of Pakistan, offered their condolences.
James Zug, a leading squash historian, called him "arguably the greatest player ever." In Pakistan, Hashim Khan was a true hero and a symbol of national pride. In 2020, Google honored him with a special Google Doodle on their homepage.
