Amy Pugsley Next to football, squash is the most popular sport in Egypt. Not only is it popular, Egyptians are some of the best squash players in the world, bar none. A running joke in the international sports world is that there must be something in the Nile that helps produce such world-ranking squash stars year after year. One of those stars is Egyptian Kanzy Defrawy who has taken her talents from the courts to new heights. She is a force to be reckoned with and her accomplishments are astounding considering she is only twenty-six years old. Recently signing with American brand Under Armour, Kanzy sat down with us to discuss the major athletic wear collaboration, sports and the future.
Squash is still somewhat of an obscure sport in many other countries, why do you think squash has become so popular in Egypt?
I actually answered this question in my graduating thesis. I initially picked this topic because I thought I knew the answer but it turns out I had it all wrong! It took me eight months of extensive research on that matter to be able to find out why. There are many different factors to why Egypt is leading in squash. I personally believe that there was a breakthrough moment that really pushed Egyptian players to the next level. This is when Ahmed Barada – former squash player and now actor and singer – reached the final of the Pyramids Open. This is a yearly tournament where an all-glass squash court is built right in front of the pyramids and players go at their matches there. Ahmed came in second in the tournament and received an insane amount of news and media attention, and was even recognized and awarded by the President of Egypt at that time. This was a turning point for the game in Egypt. All parents wanted their kids to play there, and all the players were so inspired.
Another reason is the community that Egyptian squash players grow up in. I grew up in Cairo and I started playing squash when I was seven in Heliopolis Club. I remember I used to watch some of the biggest and known worldwide ranked professional athletes. I grew up watching Ramy Ashour, Hisham Ashour, Ali Farag and so many more legendary players. They were all in my club so they set very high standards to the game and for the younger generations. I grew up watching their games and their talents, and that’s what I aspired to become. In Egypt, every athletic club is a community, with valuable players who set the rhythm for the youth. My parents supported my squash career ever since I was young because they knew it was an opportunity for me to become a champion. They don’t consider it a fun sport or a hobby, but rather a long term career and they prioritize it over anything. It is almost the only sport in Egypt where kids have a future and an opportunity to actually make a successful professional career out of. In terms of the game itself, Egyptians are leading because the coaches really encourage players to develop their own style and their own game. There is a very specific “English” way of playing for example, which requires a lot of patience and long rallies. Egyptians, on the other hand, are known for their attacking approach and fearless game. We play in a much more aggressive way than other countries.
A huge problem in the Middle East is a lack of women’s involvement in sport and the stereotype that sports are in the men’s sphere. What would you say to parents of young girls who are interested in pursuing sport?
This is very true. I think women’s capabilities in sports are often undervalued or not encouraged, specifically in the Middle East. This is my mom’s situation, actually. She grew up with a huge passion for sports and always had that competitive drive in her. Her parents favored her studies over training and did not allow her to pursue her dreams. She got married at eighteen and decided to have kids so they can do what she couldn’t achieve herself. I am the oldest of four girls and two of my sisters made it to the youth Olympics for gymnastics, and the third one is a successful squash player. The four of us are still really well-educated. We went to Lycée Français and I graduated with a double major and minor in America. I think some parents get scared that their kids will let their sport affect their education, when in fact it’s the complete opposite. Sports help shape kids from a very young age. It helps them with their social life, with their confidence and in their character development. It really embeds unique values in children, since they learn to be disciplined, patient, determined and those values reflect onto their life even after they stop playing their sport. It also creates huge academic opportunities later on. I was recruited on a scholarship to go study and play squash in an American College because of my high squash level. If I have any advice for parents, it would be to find a sport that their children really enjoy and not worry about the consequences of their children taking that sport seriously. Because this will change their whole life, in the best possible way.
Your resume and accomplishments read similar to that of a 60-year-old nearing retirement, never mind a twenty-something millennial. You are incredible both on and off the court but what accomplishment has truly made you proud?
Thank you so much. It’s really hard to pick one achievement, especially in my squash career. All the PSA titles I’ve won and all my college squash achievements are all considered big highlights. But if I were to pick one, it would definitely have to be my match in Grand Central Station in NYC at the Tournament of Champions. I was in my senior year of college at that time and I was so excited for the opportunity to play in an all-glass court built inside Grand Central Station. I had to pass through qualification, where I beat three of the best top 12 players in the world and then I played Camille Serme, who was no. 4 in the world at that time. I lost in that match and I played really well but the match itself isn’t the highlight – one point was. I was one point away from winning the game and I remember I said to myself, “Don’t let this go easily. You need one more point, and if she wants to beat you, she’s going to have to kill you.” I dove four times in a row to win the point, which I eventually lost. The match didn’t matter but that point did. It made headlines to big news channels like SkyNews, BBC Sports, Business Insider and more. I was the only female player in squash history to have ever dived that many times in a single point. The reason why it’s a highlight is because of the amount of recognition and exposure squash got. The video went viral globally and it was really good for squash to finally get a bit more recognition, since it’s an underrated sport.
In terms of my non-athletic achievements, I have to say working as an official adjudicator for Guinness World Records is definitely it. There are only 92 adjudicators globally, so to be one of them and to lead all GWR attempts in the MENA region is such a prestigious title for me.
You signed with Under Armour, can you tell us how that collaboration came to be?
I don’t share my secrets! Kidding. This has been my dream for many years. Two years ago, I decided to position myself in the fitness industry as an athlete rather than a squash player. These big athletic brands want athletes who have an influence and who can have a positive impact in the fitness community rather than just squash players who play a very specific sport that is not popular worldwide. I got involved in big fitness events such as Dubai Fitness Challenge and I started building my network in the fitness industry. And it was all about persistence from there. At the end of the day, we are one yes away from a life-changing opportunity. I had a dream, I worked for it and I achieved it. It is really that simple. If you want something that bad, you will find a way and you will achieve it.
Covid-19 has affected the physical and mental health of people around the world, what have you been doing during the pandemic to stay sane?
I actually have never been more productive in my life. I knew that the situation was not going to end anytime soon and I wanted to put my energy into something. I launched my own business in March and I dedicated quarantine to it. It’s an influencer marketing agency called Reachr and it’s currently doing really well. I know the pandemic hit the world by a storm and it was very hard on a lot of people. But we need to make the best out of each situation. This is really a time for us to take care of our health, workout at home, meditate, think about our goals, cook or even do nothing at all if this is what we needed. I’ve personally been laser focused about my health, exercise and my business. Oh, and I got a three-month-old Pug, whose name is Cheddar and he’s definitely helped keep me sane.
What role do you think athletes play in the fabric of society? Do you feel you are held to a higher standard as an athlete?
I think athletes play a huge role in the fabric of society. Firstly, they have influence and a huge impact on social media. They have very powerful voices that are constantly reaching millions of people from wide communities. I feel like when there is a global issue going on, athletes are almost expected to raise their opinions on the matter. They are also considered role models and people look up to them. I personally feel like my career as an athlete has definitely given me higher standards. It gave me a lot of credibility and at times, more respect. I really cherish and value my athletic journey and I wouldn’t do it any other way.
Rapid-Fire Questions:
Favorite workout song? Swing by Sofi Tukker (Mahmut Orhan mix to be more specific)
Yoga or pilates? Hot yoga
Spotify or Apple Music? Spotify
Second favorite sport? Soccer
Favorite post-exercise routine? Stretch, drink protein shake, shower, then food.
Best place in the world to play squash? In front of the Pyramids of Cairo
