Long before Datuk Nicol Ann David became a sporting legend herself, sport was already deeply ingrained in her family.

Her father, Datuk Desmond David, was not only a supportive parent who encouraged his children to pursue their passion for sport, but also represented Malaysia’s national football team during the 70s.

Growing up in a family so closely connected to the world of sport, the youngest of three siblings was encouraged to try her hand at different disciplines, including squash.

Her interest in squash began at the age of five, after watching her two older sisters, Lianne Marie and Cheryl Therese, who had both made their mark in squash at the Penang state level. It was a small introduction to the sport that would eventually shape the course of Nicol’s life.

By the age of eight, her talent was beginning to shine through, and Nicol started to take squash more seriously. What began as a childhood interest would eventually take her onto the international stage, where she would go on to make history.

Did you know Nicol David spent nine years at the top of the world?

She held the World No. 1 ranking for an unprecedented 108 consecutive months, the longest reign at the top of the women’s squash rankings.

But the achievement was about more than numbers or records. Behind those nine years at the top were discipline, mental resilience and an unwavering determination to keep giving her best for Malaysia.

At the age of 15, Nicol Ann captured the world’s attention when she won the 1999 World Junior Squash Championship in Antwerp, Belgium, becoming the youngest player to claim the title at the time.

Six years later, she made history once again, becoming the first Asian player to win the 2005 Women’s World Open Squash Championship.

That victory further cemented her place among the world’s finest squash players.

Over the course of her illustrious career, Nicol Ann went on to win eight World Championship titles, five British Open titles and 10 Hong Kong Open titles, building a legacy as one of the most successful athletes in Malaysian sporting history.

Yet behind every record and triumph was a long journey shaped by years of training, sacrifice, and a determination to keep striving for excellence.

Discover the spirit behind Nicol Ann’s journey and other outstanding Malaysian athletes, including Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, Datuk Abdul Latif Romly, Pearly Tan, Thinaah Muralitharan and Mohd Khafiz Bachok, at U Mobile’s Semangat Membara, Untukmu Malaysia art installation exhibition at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, running till September 16, 2026.

Through this special public installation, Malaysians can step into the stories behind the achievements, sacrifices and defining moments of the nation’s sporting heroes who have carried Malaysia’s name onto the world stage, in conjunction with the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.