Anahat Singh Makes History by Winning Junior World Squash Championship

Anahat Singh's Historic Victory

Ontario [Canada], July 28: Anahat Singh celebrated a significant milestone after clinching the junior world title, a dream she has nurtured since her squash journey began.

In the girls' singles final of the World Squash Junior Championships 2026, she triumphed over Egypt's Ruqayya Salem with a decisive 3-0 victory, marking a historic achievement as the first Indian to secure this prestigious title.

Reflecting on her win, Anahat shared that this accomplishment has been a long-held aspiration. She expressed her joy at finally reaching this goal after narrowly missing out in previous years, emphasizing that it represents the pinnacle of success for junior players in squash.

"It feels amazing. Winning this title has been my dream since I started playing squash. Competing in this major event and finally achieving it is a fantastic feeling," she remarked.

During her quarterfinal match, Anahat faced some nerves but managed to defeat Habiba Rizk with scores of 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9. In the semifinal, she overcame Barb Sameh with scores of 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6. Despite the pressure of returning to junior competition after six months, she found her rhythm before the final, where she felt more at ease and focused on enjoying the game.

"I was a bit anxious in the quarters and semis, but surprisingly, I felt no pressure in the finals. I just wanted to give it my all and enjoy the match. It took me a couple of matches to settle in, but I’m glad it happened at the right time," she explained.

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

"Having squash in the Olympics is a big deal. It would be incredible for India to participate, and I see many athletes, both boys and girls, who could qualify for LA '28. Winning medals at the Asian Games and Olympics would be monumental for Indian squash and help the sport grow significantly," she stated.

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

"The backing I received from everyone has been invaluable. My coaches have been instrumental, and JSW has been like family, supporting me at every step. This kind of encouragement is crucial during key events," she said.

As the top seed and India's No. 1 player, Anahat defeated second seed Salem with scores of 11-3, 11-7, 11-9, making history by surpassing Joshna Chinappa's runner-up finish in 2005, which had been India's best performance at the junior world championships for over two decades.

The 18-year-old maintained control throughout the final, concluding a dominant campaign where she lost only two games across six matches. She began her journey 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 to reach the quarterfinals.

Anahat's victory over Salem also ended Egypt's long-standing dominance in the junior girls' world championship, as Egyptian players had held the title since 2011.

Last year, Anahat ended India's 15-year wait for an individual medal at the junior world championships by winning bronze in Cairo. This time, she took it a step further to secure gold.

The draw opened up for Anahat with the absence of four-time champion Amina Orfi of Egypt, who was no longer eligible for the junior event.

She was the only Indian player to advance deep into the girls' singles draw, while Rudra Singh, Anika Dubey, and Saanvi Kalanki were eliminated in the round of 32. In the boys' singles, reigning Asian junior champion Aryaveer Dewan was India's top performer, reaching the last 16, while Yusha Nafees and Gurveer Singh exited 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 aims to build on her historic achievement as squash prepares for its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.