Mah Li Lian
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Short description|Singaporean squash player (born 1968)}}
{{Infobox squash player
| name = Mah Li Lian
| fullname =
| nickname =
| residence =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1968|05|24}}
| birth_place =Singapore
| plays =
| highest_ranking =52
| date_of_highest_ranking =16 November 1991
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{SGP}}
}}
{{MedalSport|Women's squash}}
{{MedalCompetition|Asian Squash Championships}}
{{MedalGold|1988 Kuwait City|individual}}
{{MedalGold|1990 Kolkata|individual}}
{{MedalGold|1992 Peshawar|individual}}
{{MedalGold|1994 Kuala Lampur|individual}}
{{MedalCompetition|Asian Games}}
{{MedalBronze|1998 Pattaya|singles}}
{{MedalCompetition|Southeast Asian Games}}
{{MedalGold|1991 Manila|singles}}
{{MedalGold|1995 Chiang Mai|singles}}
{{MedalSilver|1995 Chiang Mai|women's team}}
|height=167cm}}
Mah Li Lian {{post-nominals|country=||list=PBM}} (born 24 May 1968{{Cite news |date=16 April 1993 |title=FACTFILE |pages=48 |work=The New Paper |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newpaper19930416-1.2.68.2 |access-date=27 March 2023 |via=NewspaperSG}}) is a Singaporean former professional squash player.{{Cite web|url=https://www.squashinfo.com/player/2305-mah-li-lian|title=Squash Info {{!}} Mah Li Lian {{!}} Squash|website=www.squashinfo.com|access-date=29 August 2019}} She is regarded as the greatest ever squash player to represent Singapore on the international circuit.{{Cite news |date=20 May 2022 |title=Taking a pain-killing injection every day to compete: Mah Li Lian recalls her time at the SEA Games |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/taking-a-pain-killing-injection-every-day-to-compete-mah-li-lian-recalls-her-time-at-the-sea-games |access-date=24 March 2023}} Mah won the Asian Individual Squash Championships on four successive times in 1988, 1990, 1992 and in 1994.{{Cite web|url=http://www.singaporeolympics.com/singapores-sporting-moments-from-1965-to-2015/|title=Singapore's sporting moments from 1965 to 2015|date=8 August 2015|website=Singapore National Olympic Council|language=en-US|access-date=29 August 2019}} She was the first Singaporean player to win Asian Squash Women's singles Championships twice and held the record for winning the most number of Asian Individual Squash Championships until 2006 which was broken by Malaysian veteran Nicol David.
Education
In October 1992, Mah went to study Physical Education at Loughborough University at Leicestershire, England.{{Cite news |date=21 August 1992 |title=Now it's Ernest |pages=44 |work=The New Paper |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newpaper19920821-1.2.60.1 |access-date=27 March 2023 |via=NewspaperSG}}
Squash career
Mah won the women's single Squash gold medal at the 1991 Southeast Asian Games held at Manila, Philippines.
Mah was awarded the Sportsgirl of the Year in 1986 and the Sportswoman of the Year in 1988 and 1991.{{Cite web |title=Miss Mah Li Lian with her mother, 1991 - BookSG - National Library Board, Singapore |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/printheritage/image.aspx?id=fb2909b1-10f6-45f5-ba02-194f78b0997d |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg}}{{Cite news |date=9 August 1992 |title=2 honoured |pages=32 |work=The Straits Times |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19920809-1.2.47.2.1 |access-date=27 March 2023 |via=NewspaperSG}}
In 1992, Mah was awarded the Public Service Medal.
Mah won the women’s team gold medal with Della Lee, Lina Ong and Josephine Choo at the 1993 Southeast Asian Games held in Singapore.{{Cite news |last=Teo |first=Teng Kiat |date=29 August 2017 |title=SEA Games: Singapore men win first squash team gold in 22 years |work=Today |url=https://www.todayonline.com/sports/sea-games-singapore-men-win-first-squash-team-gold-22-years |access-date=29 March 2023}}
In 1994, Mah beat Malaysian Sandra Wu to win her fourth Asian Individual Squash Championships.{{Cite news |last=Ho |first=Shirlynn |date=22 January 1994 |title=Mah it is |edition=Overseas |pages=9 |work=The Straits Times |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/stoverseas19940122-1.2.10.3}} Mah also won the women team's gold medal, with Lee and Choo, at the 1994 East Asian Squash Championships.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Yulin |date=30 July 1994 |title=Singapore’s women triumphant |edition=Overseas |pages=9 |work=The Straits Times |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/stoverseas19940730-1.2.8.3 |access-date=29 March 2023 |via=NewspaperSG}}
Mah won the women's single gold and the women's team silver at the 1995 Southeast Asian Games held at Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Mah competed at her maiden Asian Games event in 1998 and claimed a bronze medal in the women's singles.{{Cite web |last=Chia |first=Nicole |date=2 April 2018 |title=Upbeat men's squash team target Asiad last-8 run |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/upbeat-mens-squash-team-target-asiad-last-8-run |access-date=29 August 2019 |website=The Straits Times |language=en}}
Personal life
Mah worked as a physical education teacher at Outram Institute. {{Cite news |date=16 November 1991 |title=Squash |pages=54 |work=The New Paper |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/newpaper19911116-1.2.66.2 |access-date=24 March 2023 |via=NewspaperSG}}
Contributions and Legacy
Promotion of Squash: Beyond her competitive career, Mah Li Lian has been involved in promoting squash in Singapore. She has contributed to the development of the sport by coaching youth athletes.
Role Model: As one of the most successful squash players from Singapore, Mah Li Lian serves as an inspiration to many aspiring athletes in the country. Her dedication, discipline, and achievements highlight the potential for success in sports.
Off the Court: Mah Li Lian has balanced her sports career with other professional and personal commitments, showcasing her versatility and determination.She has continued to pursue lifelong learning and is now an educator in the sports industry.
Mah Li Lian remains a celebrated figure in Singaporean sports history, particularly in the squash community. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of athletes in Singapore and beyond.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mah, Li Lian}}
Category:Singaporean female squash players
Category:Squash players at the 1998 Asian Games
Category:Squash players at the 1998 Commonwealth Games
Category:Asian Games bronze medalists for Singapore
Category:Asian Games medalists in squash
Category:Commonwealth Games competitors for Singapore
Category:Medalists at the 1998 Asian Games
Category:Victoria Junior College alumni
Category:Recipients of the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat
Category:SEA Games gold medalists for Singapore
Category:SEA Games silver medalists for Singapore
Category:SEA Games medalists in squash
Category:Competitors at the 1991 SEA Games
Category:Competitors at the 1995 SEA Games
{{Singapore-squash-bio-stub}}