Malaysian squash player Nafiizwan Adnan advanced to the men's singles semi-finals of the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the expense of defending champion Nick Matthew on Saturday.
The victory did not come easy, as the 31-year-old needed five sets and 81 minutes to overcome the Englishman, who won gold at Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014, beating him 11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-6.
"The key to my victory today was that I did not look at him as a legend [that he is]," he told Astro Arena.
"For me, he is my idol and has won the World Championships many times [but] today I told myself to be myself, use my strengths and cover my weaknesses.
"This is the biggest victory in my life. I have always wanted to win a Commonwealth Games medal and give it as a gift for Malaysia and my parents."
Nafiizwan will next face England's James Willstop, currently ranked no.14 in the world, tomorrow.
{^widget|(videourl)https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dRyUSUdgw_Pg|(name)YouTubeVideo|(autoplay)False|(widget_displayname)YouTube+video|(width)580|(height)327^}
Squash queen Nicol David, who is gunning for her third straight gold medal, also progressed to the semi-finals in the women's singles event, beating England's Alison Waters.
After losing the first two sets 7-11, 11-13, she took the remaining sets 11-9, 11-9, 12-10.
Follow Astro's comprehensive coverage of the 2018 Commonwealth Games with the GC2018 Season Pass!
Seng Foo Lee
Sat Apr 07 2018
Peluang Sivasangari ikut jejak Nicol
Juara Klasik London, S Sivasangari berada di landasan yang tepat untuk mengikut jejak langkah ratu skuasy negara, Datuk Nicol David setanding dengan jagoan elit dunia dalam arena sukan tersebut.
Nicol David imbas momen indah Sukan Komanwel 1998
Atlet negara berada dalam mod sedia untuk sebarang kejohanan atau temasya, termasuk Sukan Komanwel 2026 sekiranya Malaysia memutuskan untuk menganjurkannya dua tahun lagi selepas Victoria, Australia menarik diri.
Siapa atlet wanita terbaik anda pada Hari Wanita Sedunia?
Ramai pasti memilih bekas ratu skuasy negara, Datuk Nicol Ann David, 41, sebagai wirawati sukan terbaik negara.
Biopik Nicol David bakal ke layar perak
'I am nicol david', bukan saya tetapi itulah judul biopik legenda skuasy dunia, Datuk Nicol David, yang akan difilemkan tidak lama lagi.
Nicol David dinobat Atlet Terunggul Sepanjang Zaman
Bekas ratu skuasy negara, Datuk Nicol David, dinobatkan sebagai pemenang Anugerah Atlet Terunggul Sepanjang Zaman Sukan Dunia anjuran Persatuan Sukan Dunia Antarabangsa (IWGA) hari ini.
Sukan SEA: Nama Chong Wei, Nicol bakal digugurkan
Jaguh sukan negara seperti Datuk Lee Chong Wei dan Datuk Nicol David dijangka digugurkan daripada kontinjen Sukan SEA Kuala Lumpur 2017 apabila mesyuarat jawatankuasa pemilihan bersidang, esok.
FA Cup replays abolished from first round proper next season
I saw only one team – Rodri bemoans Real Madrid’s tactics after City’s Euro exit
Lewis Hamilton won’t be swayed by haters as he looks forward to Ferrari switch
Q&A – How Man City and Arsenal exits could impact Premier League’s European race
Cole Palmer an ‘absolute genius’ who could help England win Euro 2024 – Joe Cole
Izzy Christiansen: English club taking European crown would be ‘massive’ for WSL
We’ll get back up – Martin Odegaard urges Arsenal to respond to European exit
Brian Sorensen ‘really happy’ after extending contract as Everton manager
Football rumours: Mo Salah tipped to leave Liverpool
The update comes as Liverpool are believed to have rejected a £200 million bid from a Saudi club for him last summer.
NBA: Embiid leads 76ers to 7th seed; White scores career-high 42 in Bulls' rout
Embiid leads 76ers to 7th seed