April 17, 2023
Peru’s Diego Elias has become the first player from South America to ascend to the top of the PSA World Rankings.
26-year-old Elias, from Lima, has overtaken Egypt’s Mostafa Asal to go to World No.1 for the first time in his career today (Monday April 17) despite falling to former World No.1 Ali Farag in the final of the British Open yesterday in Birmingham.
Elias has enjoyed the best season of his career to date, winning four PSA titles throughout the campaign, including major titles at the U.S. Open and J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions, which helped propel him to the World No.1 spot, becoming the 23rd man to reach the summit.
Speaking after he found out he would be going to World No.1, Elias said: “It’s a dream come true… I ended last year playing very well, I got to two finals, so I knew I was playing well, but I didn’t win the titles.
“But at the start of this year I did a lot of work and I think it paid off at ToC and the next two tournaments.”
DEIGO joins his coach, former World#1 & World Champion (1998) JONATHON POWER as the only PAN AMERICANS to ever reach World#1.
POWER was elated ” One of the happiest days of my life! I’m so proud of him! Happiest for his parents and the whole team that helped him over this incredible journey”
