Sports icons Nicol David and Yao Ming meet in Beijing, sharing light-hearted height jokes and a common goal of supporting children.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Datuk Nicol David’s Instagram post this week delighted and amused fans after the Malaysian squash legend shared photos of her meeting former NBA star Yao Ming in Beijing.

The eight-time world squash champion described the encounter with the Chinese basketball icon during her visit to Beijing as “an absolute honour.”

While the two sports figures connected over their shared commitment to using sports to support children, social media users were quick to comment on their striking height difference.

“The size difference is crazy,” one user wrote.

Another joked, “If you need someone to fix a roof, you don’t even need a ladder anymore.”

One commenter quipped that Yao’s squash racquet looked like “a mosquito swatter,” while another said, “Wow. He made that tennis racket look like a kid’s racket, and you made the basketball look tiny too. Lol.”

Others joined in with sports-related humour.

“Luckily he didn’t fall over and SQUASH you,” one user joked.

Despite the playful remarks, many also praised the meeting of two accomplished athletes united by a shared cause.

“Two sports giants with gigantic hearts helping children of the world,” one comment read.

Yao, who stands at 2.29 metres, founded the Yao Foundation in 2008 after the Sichuan earthquake.

The foundation focuses on improving education, health and self-confidence among children in rural China through sports programmes.

According to Nicol, the foundation has built 28 schools and benefited around 6.7 million children.

Nicol also highlighted her own initiative, the Nicol David Organisation, a non-profit she co-founded in 2022 with former Colombian squash player Mariana de Reyes.

She said the organisation aims to transform Malaysia through sports and education while encouraging healthier lifestyles for children.

Nicol added that the foundation is expected to reach 5,000 children this year, saying, “My foundation is only four years old, but this year we will impact 5,000 children — one day I hope to say we have impacted millions.”