South American Diego Elias has climbed to the top of the Professional Squash Association world rankings ©PSA

South American Diego Elias has climbed to the top of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) world rankings, becoming the first from the continent to do so.

The Peruvian has 1,687 points, 108 more than Mohamed El Shorbagy of England in second.

Before the latest rankings, Egyptian Mostafa Asal was on top but has now dropped down to third.

"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," the 26-year-old Elias said.

"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."

The Lima native reached the top despite losing to world number four Ali Farag of Egypt in the British Open final recently.

Nour El Sherbini has pipped fellow Egyptian Hania El Hammamy for the second spot and is set to be number one on May 8 ©PSA
Nour El Sherbini has pipped fellow Egyptian Hania El Hammamy for the second spot and is set to be number one on May 8 ©PSA

He has been having the best season of his career so far, winning the U.S. Open and the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions.

Elias is now the 23rd man to reach the top of PSA world rankings.

Meanwhile, Shorbagy's move to second is his highest since since October 2021.

In the women's rankings, Nouran Gohar of Egypt remains on top with 2,036.667 points but not for long.

Nour El Sherbini has pipped fellow Egyptian Hania El Hammamy for the second spot and is set to be number one on May 8 when Gohar's points for the 2022 Tournament of Champions expires.

El Sherbini beat Gohar in the women's final to win her fourth British Open title in Birmingham.