Anahat Singh Aims for Olympic Glory After Junior World Championship Win
Anahat Singh's Ambitions for LA 2028
Following her remarkable triumph at the Junior Squad World Championship, Anahat Singh is now focused on the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where squash will be featured for the first time. She also expressed her enthusiasm for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan. During a virtual media session organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Anahat addressed a question regarding her aspirations for the Olympics and the Asian Games, expressing her hope to secure a gold medal at the continental event and become the first female squash player to qualify for LA 2028. "Every squash player is thrilled about squash being included in the Olympics. This is a historic moment, and the transition from the Commonwealth Games to the Olympics is monumental for our sport," Anahat remarked. She added, "I am eagerly looking forward to qualifying for the Asian Games, and if successful, I would be the first squash player to achieve this. The excitement is palpable, and even if I don't qualify this way, there are other avenues to the Olympics, so I don't feel overly pressured. I can dedicate the next two years to training for the Olympics instead of just focusing on qualification," she explained.
Anticipation for the Asian Games
After earning two bronze medals in the 2023 Asian Games, Anahat expressed her eagerness for this year's competition, stating that she feels no pressure. She emphasized that the opportunity to qualify for the Olympics will not alter her approach to the Asian Games. "This is an exciting time for me. I don't feel overwhelmed going into the Asian Games. I know there are many top players, like Seva and Satomi, ranked sixth and seventh in the world, whom I've faced before in close matches. I'm looking forward to competing against them again. The stakes are high, but whether or not the Olympics were involved, the Asian Games are significant, and the Olympics are just an added bonus. I will give my all, regardless of the circumstances," Anahat noted.
Reflections on the Commonwealth Games
In response to a question about the absence of squash from the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Anahat expressed her disappointment. She had made history as the youngest Indian to compete in the event in 2022 at just 14 years old. "It was disheartening not to be part of the Commonwealth Games, as it was my first major competition. However, the Asian Games present a higher level of stakes, which compensates for the absence of the Commonwealth Games," she stated.
Breaking Egypt's Long-standing Dominance
Anahat not only made history as the first Indian to win the Junior World Championship but also ended Egypt's 15-year reign in the event. She became the first non-Egyptian champion since 2010, defeating three Egyptian players, including Ruqayya Salem in the final. Anahat remarked that the nationality of her opponents did not affect her performance. "A match is a match, regardless of whether I'm playing against an Egyptian or someone from another country. Each match is challenging, and I prefer not to dwell on statistics or historical contexts, as they can negatively impact my mindset. I view every opponent as just another player in the tournament," she explained.
Final Year as a Junior
She acknowledged that this being her last year as a junior added some pressure, especially after experiencing heartbreak in previous years with quarter-final exits and a semi-final loss. "Knowing it was my final chance to win this tournament motivated me to give my best. The significance of this event pushed me to perform freely, and I wouldn't have felt this way if it weren't my last year. I recognized the importance of this tournament for me, and it made a substantial difference in my approach," Anahat concluded.