Anahat Singh scripts history, becomes India’s first junior squash world champion
Indian squash reached a landmark moment on Saturday as teenage sensation Anahat Singh etched her name into the history books, becoming the country’s first-ever World Junior Squash Champion with a commanding straight-games victory in the women’s singles final in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.
The 18-year-old top seed outclassed Egypt’s second seed Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 to clinch the biggest title of her young career. In doing so, Anahat also became the first non-Egyptian player to win the girls’ World Junior Championship since American Amanda Sobhy lifted the trophy in 2010, ending Egypt’s 15-year dominance of the event.
The triumph was another milestone for Indian squash. Joshna Chinappa had finished runner-up in 2005, but no Indian had gone one better until Anahat’s memorable triumph. The Delhi youngster had already broken a 21-year drought by reaching the final earlier this week before sealing history with an emphatic performance in the title clash.
ANAHAT DOMINATES FROM START TO FINISH
Anahat lived up to her billing as the tournament’s top seed with a string of commanding performances throughout the week. She defeated Egypt’s Habiba Rizk in the quarter-finals before overcoming another Egyptian, Barb Sameh, 3-1 in the semi-finals to become the first Indian finalist since Chinappa.
Against Salem in the final, Anahat displayed remarkable composure and tactical discipline. She raced through the opening game 11-3, controlled the rallies to take the second 11-7 and held her nerve in a closely fought third game to wrap up the title 11-9 without dropping a game.
Already one of India’s brightest sporting prospects, Anahat has enjoyed a breakthrough year after breaking into the world’s top 20 rankings and collecting multiple PSA titles. The junior world crown is another significant addition to an already impressive rsum that includes medals at the Asian Games and a growing list of senior-level achievements.
With the historic victory, Anahat has not only rewritten Indian squash history but also announced herself as one of the brightest young stars in world squash, raising hopes of even greater success when the sport makes its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
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