Paul Coll

Paul Coll (born 9 May 1992) is a professional squash player who represents New Zealand. In March 2022, he became the first New Zealand man to achieve a world ranking of World No. 1.[1] He is the current British Open champion.[2][3]

Not to be confused with Paul Cole.
Paul Coll
Coll in 2018
Nickname(s)Superman
Country New Zealand
ResidenceHoofddorp, Netherlands
Born (1992-05-09) 9 May 1992
Greymouth, New Zealand
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight83 kg (183 lb)
Turned Pro2010
RetiredActive
Racquet usedHead Squash
Websitepaulcoll.com
Men's singles
Highest rankingNo. 1 (1 March 2022)
Current rankingNo. 1 (1 March 2022)
Medal record
Men's squash
Representing  New Zealand
World Championships
2019–20 DohaSingles
2020–21 ChicagoSingles
World Doubles Championships
2016 DarwinMixed doubles
2017 ManchesterMixed doubles
2016 DarwinDoubles
2017 ManchesterDoubles
Commonwealth Games
2018 Gold CoastSingles
2018 Gold CoastMixed doubles
Last updated: 13 April 2022.

Career overview

Coll's first major breakthrough came when he was ranked 31st in the world and won the $100,000 St. George's Hill Classic in Weybridge, England as a qualifier. He beat 4 players in the top 20 to win the title, which raised him to no. 20 in the world. He made history in September 2017 as he became no. 10 in the PSA World Rankings. He is only the fourth Kiwi to break the top 10 in the world, the ones before him including former world champion and world no. 2 Ross Norman.

Coll claimed his first Commonwealth Games medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games as he clinched a silver medal in the men's singles event after being defeated by veteran English squash player, James Willstrop.[4][5] On the other side, fellow New Zealand squash player, Joelle King clinched a historical gold medal in the women's singles event.[6] This was also the first instance where a male and a female squash player from New Zealand had managed to qualify in the final of the respective events at a Commonwealth Games event.[7]

In September 2019, Coll won the 2019 Open De France Nantes in France. Coll was able to take the final in three games (12-10, 11-3, 11-9) defeating Joel Makin.[8] On 22 August 2021, Paul Coll won the British Open championship and became the first New Zealander to win the British Open men's squash title.[9][10]

Family

Coll's uncle was the New Zealand rugby league player Tony Coll.[11]

References
  1. "Coll becomes first male New Zealander to reach World no. 1 in PSA world rankings". PSA World Tour. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  2. PSA Player Profile
  3. SquashInfo Player Profile
  4. "Paul Coll denied Commonwealth Games gold in men's squash by English veteran". Stuff. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  5. @aldersonnotes, Andrew Alderson Sports reporter, NZ Herald andrew alderson@nzherald co nz (7 April 2018). "Squash: Joelle King and Paul Coll into Commonwealth Games singles finals". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  6. "Kiwi King wins, Coll loses Games squash final". ESPN. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  7. "Commonwealth Games: Joelle King, Paul Coll qualify for squash singles finals". Newshub. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  8. "France's Serme and New Zealand's Coll Reign Supreme At Open de France - Nantes - Professional Squash Association". psaworldtour.com. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  9. "Squash: Paul Coll wins British Open becoming first Kiwi male to claim title". NZ Herald. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  10. "Paul Coll becomes first New Zealander to win the British Open men's squash title". Stuff. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  11. Kenny, Jake; Kermeen, Mat; Smith, Tony (14 May 2020). "Former Kiwis captain and West Coast community leader Tony Coll dies". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 15 May 2020.


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