Anahat Singh Makes History by Winning World Squash Junior Championship

Anahat Singh has made history by winning the World Squash Junior Championship, becoming the first Indian to achieve this remarkable feat. After defeating Egypt's Ruqayya Salem in the final, Anahat expressed her joy and gratitude for the support she received throughout her journey. She also shared her aspirations for the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics, emphasizing the potential for Indian players to excel on the global stage. With a dominant performance throughout the tournament, Anahat's victory marks a significant milestone for Indian squash.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 28, 2026, 03:24 IST

Anahat Singh Celebrates Historic Victory

Anahat Singh expressed her excitement after clinching the junior world title, a dream she has held since her squash journey began. She triumphed over Egypt's Ruqayya Salem with a decisive 3-0 score in the girls' singles final at the World Squash Junior Championships 2026, securing the prestigious title on Saturday.

First Indian to Win the Title

With this victory, Anahat has etched her name in history as the first Indian to win the World Squash Junior Championships. In an interview, she shared that this title has been a long-cherished dream, and she felt immense joy in finally achieving it after coming close in previous years. She described it as the pinnacle of success for any junior player in the sport.

Overcoming Pre-Match Nerves

Reflecting on her journey, Anahat admitted to feeling nervous during the quarterfinals and semifinals. She won against Habiba Rizk with scores of 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9, and Barb Sameh with 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, respectively. However, she managed to shake off the nerves before the final, focusing instead on enjoying the match.

Aiming for the LA 2028 Olympics

Anahat highlighted the significance of squash's inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics, viewing it as a tremendous opportunity for Indian players. She believes that many athletes have the potential to qualify, and winning medals at both the Asian Games and the Olympics would greatly enhance the sport's popularity in India.

Gratitude for Support

Anahat attributed her success to the unwavering support from her coaches, family, and JSW. She acknowledged the hard work of her coaches, Saurav Ghosal and Gregory Gaultier, and expressed gratitude for her family's encouragement throughout her squash journey.

Dominant Performance Throughout the Championship

As the top seed and India's leading player, Anahat defeated second seed Salem with scores of 11-3, 11-7, 11-9, marking a historic achievement that surpassed Joshna Chinappa's runner-up finish in 2005. The 18-year-old showcased her dominance throughout the tournament, losing only two games across six matches.

Path to the Final

Anahat's campaign began with a straight-games victory over Australian qualifier Lilly Wilson, followed by wins against Hong Kong's Pui Yin Chloe Lo and Malaysia's Doyce Ye San Lee, leading her to the quarterfinals. Her final victory also ended Egypt's long-standing dominance in the junior girls' world championship, a title held by Egyptian players since 2011.

Future Aspirations

Having previously secured a bronze medal at the junior world championships last year, Anahat has now achieved gold. With the absence of four-time champion Amina Orfi from the junior event, the path opened for her. Currently ranked No. 20 in the world on the senior PSA Tour, Anahat is eager to build on her historic success as squash prepares for its Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028.