For the first time ever in Egypt or the Arab world, a woman is holding the No. 1 title in world squash.
Egyptian 26-year-old Raneem El Welily made history on Tuesday, according to the September 2015 Professional Squash Association (PSA) Women’s World Rankings, when she claimed the No. 1 title, that has been long held, nine years to be exact, by Malaysian Nicol David.
Raneem was first noticed in the squash scene when she took it by storm in 2005. All eyes were on the rising star when she won the Junior Championship in Belgium in 2005 and again in Hong Kong in 2007. She also took part of the Egyptian National team that won the World Teams Championship in 2008 and in 2012.
Her dedication and hard work to the sport she loves was well observed in 2014-2015 after reaching the finals of six tournaments out of seven. Raneem went on to win first place in three of the tournaments and held the titles of J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions, Guggenheim Partners Windy City Open and Alexandria Open.