WHENEVER squash is discussed in Malaysia, one name immediately springs to mind for most sports fans – former world No. 1 Datuk Nicol Ann David, who dominated the international scene for years.

After Nicol’s remarkable era, the spotlight gradually shifted to a new generation of Malaysian stars such as S. Sivasangari and Sanjay Jeeva, who have continued to showcase the country’s talent on the global stage.

However, another rising star is quietly making his own mark.

Erwin Kros may not yet have the same level of recognition, but the 17-year-old has been steadily building a reputation by defeating local and international opponents with his impressive performances.

Standing at more than 1.9m tall, the towering teenager has already achieved several milestones
and is emerging as one of Malaysia’s brightest young squash prospects.

So, what lies behind Erwin’s rapid rise, his journey through the ranks and the story of his passion for the sport?

Where it all started

Described by his parents as a hyperactive child, Erwin explored various physical activities growing up, including different sports and martial arts but squash eventually captured his heart.

He first picked up a racket at the age of six and began playing casually before committing fully to the sport at 11.

A year earlier, winning his first title gave him the confidence to believe he had what it took to succeed.

“I started playing squash casually at six after trying a few different sports, but at 11, I committed fully and trained every day. Winning my first title had a great impact on my confidence in this game. I knew I was capable of playing it.

“I love squash because it is an individual sport, as I prefer to be alone. It is also challenging because it requires a lot of thinking and is very physical,” he said.

Erwin’s journey has also been shaped by the sacrifices of his family, particularly his parents, who went to great lengths to support his ambitions.

“My family played a very big role in my squash career. My parents sacrificed a lot for me as they once moved house just for my training. That’s a major sacrifice.

“Credit also goes to my sister. She always supports me and talks to me about the game.

Whenever I feel down, I can speak to her and she gives me her opinion to help me become a better person,” he added.

Those sacrifices began to pay off when Erwin won gold at the Southeast Asian Junior Squash Championships in 2024, a breakthrough moment that strengthened his belief in the sport.

Sacrificing it all

Success, however, has come at a price.

While many children enjoyed their free time playing with friends, Erwin spent much of his childhood training and improving his game.

He also had to maintain strict discipline with his diet and lifestyle to stay competitive.

“I can’t go out regularly because I need to focus and stay disciplined in the sport. I also need to keep track of my daily food intake.

“Before and after every training session, I take supplements such as electrolytes. Protein consumption is also important after training,” he said.

His commitment to squash also created a difficult balancing act between sport and education.

Erwin had to take a six-month break from the game to prepare for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, which affected his performance and rhythm.

“It was troubling because I needed to study and I couldn’t train regularly. After the examination, I actually struggled for two months to get back to the level I was at.

“But thankfully, after all the sacrifices and hard work, I can see that I’m better now,” he said.

Hard work pays off

Erwin’s breakthrough arrived when he won the U-14 title at the 2023 Australia Junior Open.

But his biggest achievement so far came at the Tashkent Open in Uzbekistan last May, where he
claimed his first professional senior title.

Facing Uzbekistan’s top player Muhammadmustafo Abdurakhmonov in the final, Erwin produced a dominant performance, winning 11-4, 11-6, 11-4 in just 22 minutes.

“It was a challenge. I’m very happy to win my first professional squash title with the seniors
because I was playing against much more experienced opponents.

“It was also great exposure because I learnt a lot from them, including their techniques. International players have different styles of play,” he said.

That success proved to be only the beginning of a memorable 2026 campaign.

Erwin successfully defended his Southeast Asian Junior Individual Championship title in the Philippines last June, defeating home player Inigo Jordan 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 in a 31-minute final.

“I feel very proud of who I’m becoming because it takes a lot of sacrifice to achieve what I have targeted,” he said.

Next big target

Despite his rapid progress, Erwin remains hungry for greater achievements. His next major ambition is to become the top Asian U-19 squash player.

His ranking dropped to No. 40 after his SPM break, but he has quickly climbed back up the standings.

“After just two tournaments, I moved up to Asia No. 7 in the U-19 age group. I believe I can reach No. 1 by next year.

“My partnership with AirAsia Move also helps a lot because they have supported me.

“I don’t think there will be any issue with the lack of tournaments for me to participate in,” he said.

Now ranked 11th, Erwin is determined to continue his upward momentum through more local and international competitions.

His ambition reflects the hunger and dedication of a teenager who has already made significant sacrifices for his dream.

With continued support and guidance, Kros could soon join the list of Malaysian squash players who have carried the nation’s name onto the world stage.