Indian Squash Sensation Anahat Singh Secures Historic World Junior Championship Title
At 18, Anahat Singh has become the first Indian to claim the individual World Junior squash title in Ontario. Her straight-sets victory over Egypt's Ruqayya Salem ends years of near-misses on the global stage.
Ending the Egyptian Dominance in Ontario
In a decisive performance in Ontario, top-seeded Anahat Singh dismantled the long-standing Egyptian stranglehold on the women’s World junior squash individual category. The 18-year-old Delhi native secured her place in history with a 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 victory over Egypt's Ruqayya Salem. This win represents a major breakthrough for Indian sports, marking the first time an athlete from the nation has stood atop the podium in this specific event.
Overcoming the Quarter-Final Plateau
For Singh, this victory was as much about mental endurance as it was about physical skill. Having competed in the tournament for four consecutive years without reaching the summit, the young athlete admitted she previously viewed the competition as a personal hurdle she could not clear. Statistics from her journey show a pattern of persistence:
- Failed to advance past the quarter-finals and semi-finals in previous years.
- Entered the 2026 tournament as her final year of eligibility for junior status.
- Maintained a dominant run throughout the week to justify her status as the tournament’s top seed.
Reflecting on her mindset during the final, Singh noted that she prioritized tactical discipline over emotional pressure. By focusing on hitting her lines and enjoying the atmosphere of the final, she managed to outmaneuver Salem in the summit contest.
A Catalyst for Indian Squash Growth
Currently ranked 20th in the world at the senior level, Singh views this championship as a tool for wider institutional change. She emphasized that visibility is the primary barrier for squash in India. With a larger audience now following her trajectory, she believes the sport possesses the potential for rapid expansion across the country.
The achievement drew high praise from Saurav Ghosal, the former Indian men’s No. 1 and Singh’s mentor. Ghosal categorized the win as a significant milestone, urging his ward to view this title as a foundation for future success on the senior professional circuit.
Source: The Hindu — Other Sports
