Anahat Singh Creates History, Becomes First Indian to Win World Junior Squash Championship
Indian squash reached a defining moment on Saturday as Anahat Singh etched her name into the history books by becoming the first Indian ever to win the World Junior Squash Championship.
The Indian defeated Egypt's Ruqayya Salem in straight games, 11-3, 11-7, 11-9, in the girls' singles final at the World Squash Junior Championships 2026 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.
The victory is one of the greatest achievements in the history of Indian squash. It not only marks India's maiden junior world title but also ends Egypt's remarkable dominance in the women's competition. Since Amanda Sobhy of the United States won the title in 2010, every champion had been Egyptian. Anahat became the first non-Egyptian champion since 2010 and the first Indian to lift the prestigious trophy.
For a player who had endured years of heartbreak at the event, the triumph was the perfect ending to an extraordinary junior career.
India has produced several world-class squash players over the years, including Joshna Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal, Saurav Ghosal, and more recently Abhay Singh and Veer Chotrani. Yet, the elusive World Junior singles title had always remained out of reach.
Joshna Chinappa came closest when she reached the final in 2005, but no Indian had managed to go one step further. Anahat has now changed that forever.
The Delhi youngster has been regarded as one of the brightest talents in world squash for several years. Already competing regularly on the PSA Tour and representing India at major international events, she entered the tournament as the top seed and lived up to expectations with a series of commanding performances.
Her victory is expected to inspire an entire generation of young Indian squash players.
Anahat's title-winning run was built on consistency, composure and attacking squash. Having reached the quarterfinals and semifinals in previous editions, she entered the tournament determined to finally overcome the hurdle that had denied her success for four consecutive years.
She did exactly that. The Indian progressed through the draw without allowing any opponent to disrupt her rhythm, setting up a final against Egypt's Ruqayya Salem, the tournament's second seed. The championship match represented more than just a battle between the top two seeds; it was an opportunity to end one of the longest periods of dominance by any nation in junior sport.
Anahat showed no signs of nerves despite the magnitude of the occasion. She started aggressively, controlling the rallies from the outset and forcing Salem onto the defensive. The opening game was one-sided. Using her precise length, sharp movement and accurate shot selection, Anahat raced to an 11-3 victory to immediately put the Egyptian under pressure.
The second game followed a similar pattern. Salem attempted to extend rallies and vary the pace, but the Indian remained firmly in control. Anahat continued to dominate the T, dictated play and punished loose returns to comfortably claim the second game 11-7.
At two games up, history was within touching distance.
The third game finally produced the resistance many expected from the Egyptian. Salem raised her intensity and moved into an 8-6 lead, threatening to force a fourth game and potentially shift the momentum. It was the biggest test Anahat had faced throughout the final. Rather than panic, she produced her best squash when it mattered most.
The Indian won a series of crucial rallies, drawing level before edging ahead with intelligent shot placement and remarkable court coverage. She eventually sealed the game 11-9, completing a 3-0 victory and collapsing in celebration as the magnitude of her achievement began to sink in.
Egypt has long been the global powerhouse in squash, particularly at the junior level. For more than a decade, the country's players had enjoyed an almost complete monopoly over the World Junior women's title. Anahat's victory therefore carries significance beyond India.
By defeating one of Egypt's finest young players in straight games, she demonstrated that the gap between Indian squash and the world's best continues to narrow. Her triumph also highlights the steady progress Indian squash has made through improved coaching, stronger domestic competitions and increased international exposure for young athletes.
At just 18, Anahat Singh has already achieved what no Indian before her could. The World Junior title is not merely another trophy; it is a statement that India can now produce world champions at the highest junior level.
More importantly, this achievement feels like only the beginning.
Already competing successfully on the professional circuit, Anahat has shown that she possesses the technical ability, tactical intelligence and mental strength required to challenge the world's elite. Becoming the first Indian World Junior Champion cements her place in Indian sporting history, but it also raises expectations for what lies ahead.
Indian squash has searched for a junior world champion for decades. On a memorable day in Canada, Anahat Singh finally delivered that breakthrough. In doing so, she not only fulfilled her own dream but also redefined what is possible for the next generation of Indian squash players. The future of Indian squash has rarely looked brighter, and its newest global champion is leading the way.
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