World No.1 and 3 time World Squash Champion Nick Matthew was awarded Best Male by the Commonwealth Games England Champions Club at a glittering ceremony held in London yesterday.

The inaugural event was celebrated by invited sponsors, athletes and partners of Commonwealth Games England and Glasgow 2014, representatives of National Governing Bodies alongside other special guests in the build-up for Glasgow.

Four years since the last Commonwealth Games staged in Delhi, the evening celebrated the achievements of the Delhi Team Members with awards for Best Male, Best Female, Best Male Newcomer, Best Female Newcomer and Lifetime Achievement.

Matthew, who returned the top of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Rankings in January after winning his third World Championship title in November, was awarded the title of Best Male following outstanding successes in the Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles events in Delhi where he won a Gold Medal in both disciplines, helping 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 World No.1 who is currently competing in the Case Swedish Open in Linköping.

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