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Anahat Singh creates history, becomes first Indian to win World Junior Squash Championships

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 26 Jul 2026 26 Jul 2026

New Delhi: Anahat Singh scripted history by becoming the first Indian player to win the World Junior Squash Championship title. The 18-year-old Indian defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-9) in the women’s singles final of the tournament in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Canada to win the gold medal.

Anahat achieved a significant feat by breaking Egypt’s monopoly, which had won the title for 16 successive years, without dropping a single game. The final was a clash between the top players, and the top-seeded Indian defeated the second seed from Egypt, a country that boasts a rich legacy in this sport. The last time a player who is not Egyptian or of Egyptian origin won the junior world championship title was Amanda Sobhy in 2010.

Anahat beat Egyptian players in quarterfinals and semifinals

The Indian has also beaten Egyptian players in the semifinal and quarterfinal of the tournament. She defeated Habiba Rizk 3-1 (11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9) in the quarterfinal and Barb Sameh 3-1 (11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6) in the semifinal.

This is a massive achievement for Anahat itself as winning three consecutive matches against the Egyptians in squash is very tough. She was also India’s first finalist in the event in over 20 years, the first since Joshna Chinappa in 2005.

Earlier this year, the Indian teenager had said that this World Championship would be her last junior-level tournament as she has transitioned to the senior circuit. Anahat is already a top-20 player in the world.

She clinched a bronze medal the year before and wanted to win the gold, which she did with a commanding performance, dropping only two games in the tournament and in the final as well. She played aggressively and took early charge of the match and went on to win in straight games.

Anahat made her India debut at the age of 14, incidentally at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and has won medals at the Asian Games at 16. With squash now an Olympic sport, Anahat has been in focus for a long time and has managed to deliver under pressure. She has also won back-to-back India Open titles in Mumbai.

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