Matthew honoured at the Commonwealth Games England Champions Club
Triple world champion Nick Matthew was awarded Best Male by the Commonwealth Games England Champions Club at a glittering ceremony held in Central London.
The inaugural event, hosted at the the Marriot London Grosvenor Square Hotel, celebrated the achievements of the 2010 Delhi Team Members with awards for Best Male, Best Female, Best Male Newcomer, Best Female Newcomer and Lifetime Achievement.
Matthew (pictured right), who currently shares the world number one ranking with Frenchman Gregory Gaultier, was awarded the title of Best Male following gold medal successes in the Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles events in Delhi, where he helped England top the sport’s medals table for the first time.
“Squash is a sport which has always viewed the Commonwealth Games as the pinnacle of our sport. Watching Peter Nicol winning two gold medals in Melbourne was an unbelievably inspiring experience and to emulate him in Delhi was the highlight of my career,” said Matthew.
“To be honoured by Team England as their ‘Best Male’ when there were so many unbelievable athletes in that team is a huge honour.
“I’m really pleased that Adrian Grant was able to collect the award on my behalf as I can’t think of a more appropriate person than my doubles partner who helped me ensure England topped the squash medals table for the first time ever in Delhi.
“Team England is always a special team to be part of and we both can’t wait to be part of that atmosphere in the home of the Auld Enemy in Glasgow,” added the 33-year-old from Sheffield.
Matthew will return to the scene of his third World Championship triumph next week, when he bids for a sixth British National Championship in Manchester.
Picture by Michael Catling