Anahat Singh Makes History as India's First Junior World Squash Champion

Historic Victory for Anahat Singh

Ottawa [Canada], July 26: Anahat Singh has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian squash player to clinch the junior world title. She achieved this remarkable feat by defeating Egypt's Ruqayya Salem with a score of 3-0 in the girls' singles final at the World Squash Junior Championships 2026 held here on Saturday.

The top-seeded Anahat, who is also India's No. 1 player, triumphed over the second seed Salem with game scores of 11-3, 11-7, and 11-9, thereby surpassing Joshna Chinappa's previous best performance as a runner-up in 2005, which had stood as India's highest achievement in the junior world championships for over twenty years, according to reports.

The 18-year-old demonstrated exceptional skill and control throughout the final match, concluding a dominant tournament where she lost only two games across six matches.

Anahat kicked off her journey with a straight-games victory against Australian qualifier Lilly Wilson, followed by wins over Hong Kong's Pui Yin Chloe Lo and Malaysia's Doyce Ye San Lee, which propelled her into the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, she defeated Egypt's Habiba Rizk with a score of 3-1 (11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9) and then overcame another Egyptian player, Barb Sameh, in the semifinals with a score of 3-1 (11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6).

This victory not only marked a significant milestone for Anahat but also ended Egypt's long-standing dominance in the junior girls' world championship, a title held by Egyptian players since 2011.

Last year, Anahat had already broken a 15-year drought for India by winning a bronze medal at the junior world championships in Cairo. This time, she has gone a step further to secure the gold medal.

The competition was also made easier for Anahat with the absence of four-time champion Amina Orfi of Egypt, who was no longer eligible to compete in the junior category.

Among the Indian participants, Anahat was the only player to advance significantly in the girls' singles draw, while Rudra Singh, Anika Dubey, and Saanvi Kalanki were eliminated in the round of 32.

In the boys' singles category, Aryaveer Dewan, the reigning Asian junior champion, was India's top performer, reaching the last 16. Yusha Nafees and Gurveer Singh were eliminated in the round of 32, and Purav Rambhia was knocked out in the round of 64.

Currently ranked No. 20 in the world on the senior PSA Tour, Anahat Singh is now set to build on her historic success as squash prepares for its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.