World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad has surpassed Frenchman Gregory Gaultier to become the 5th Egyptian player ever to top the PSA Men’s World Rankings, released on May 1st.
Gawad began the season ranked at No.8 but his stunning form over the past eight months has seen him claim five PSA World Tour titles, including major titles at the PSA Men’s World Championship, J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions and Qatar Classic.
The 25-year-old from Giza claimed top spot by reaching the final of last month’s El Gouna International Squash Open and, despite losing the title-decider to Gaultier, follows in the footsteps of compatriots Amr Shabana, Karim Darwish, Ramy Ashour and Mohamed ElShorbagy, who have all topped the World Rankings over the past 11 years.
Gaultier slips down to No.2, ahead of ElShorbagy and England’s Nick Matthew, while the younger ElShorbagy brother, Marwan, completes the top five.
Former World No.1 James Willstrop and three-time World Champion Ramy Ashour both move up a spot to No.6 and No.7, respectively, with Ali Farag dropping two places to No.8. Fares Dessouky retains his No.9 ranking and his compatriot, Tarek Momen, moves up one place to No.10, switching places with Germany’s Simon Rösner.
