Sports

Who Is Anahat Singh? Meet 18-Year-Old Who Ended Egypt’s 15-Year Streak To Become India’s First World Junior Squash Champion

By Samira Vishwas

Indian squash sensation Anahat Singh created history by becoming the first-ever Indian player to win the World Junior Squash Championship title. The 18-year-old top seed delivered a masterclass performance in the girls’ singles final at Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada, defeating Egypt’s second-seeded Ruqayya Salem in straight games. In doing so, Anahat ended Egypt’s formidable 15-year winning streak in the girls’ junior event, which had been dominated by Egyptian players since 2010. Surpassing Joshna Chinappa’s historic runner-up finish from 2005, Anahat has cemented her place as the country’s brightest young talent. Here is everything you need to know about the teenage prodigy rewriting squash history for India.

Early Life And Transition From Badminton To Squash Excellence

Born on March 13, 2008, in New Delhi to sports-loving parents, Anahat initially took up badminton at the age of five, drawing inspiration from Olympic medalist PV Sindhu. However, watching her elder sister Ananya Singh play squash at local clubs shifted her passion toward the racquet sport. Under the guidance of renowned coaches, including former world star Saurav Ghosal, Anahat quickly made rapid strides in the junior national circuit through her exceptional court coverage, tactical maturity, and explosive movement.

Phenomenal Junior Career And Historic World Championship Triumph

Anahat Singh’s rise in junior international squash has been nothing short of extraordinary. She previously won major international titles including the British Junior Open, US Junior Open, and Asian Junior Championships across various age brackets. Her crowning achievement arrived at the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships in Canada. Dominating the competition from the start, she dropped just two games throughout the tournament before defeating Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in a high-stakes final to claim the world title.

Senior-Level Achievements And Bright Olympic Prospects For LA 2028

Despite her young age, Anahat has already made a massive impact at the senior level for the Indian national squad. She represented India as the youngest athlete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham at just 14 years old and won two bronze medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Already breaking into the top 20 of the PSA World Rankings, Anahat stands as India’s premier hope as squash prepares to make its official debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

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