Anahat Singh Creates History, Becomes First Indian to Win World Junior Squash Championship

Squash: India’s Time 
Anahat scripted a golden chapter in Indian sports on Sunday at Niagara-on-the-Lake in Canada with a commanding performance in the girls’ U19 final. 

She was the first Indian to win the prestigious junior world title. India’s best finish at the event was a bronze medal until now.

The championship brings together the best junior talent from over 30 countries, and Anahat carried India’s hopes through the week. She showed her poise under pressure and her aggressive coverage of the court in every round, culminating in a performance that national coaches described as “the emergence of a world-class player".

Officials of the Squash Rackets Federation of India, present at the venue, called the title a “landmark moment” for the sport in the country.

Straight Games Win Over Egypt 
Against Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem, a player from a country that has dominated junior squash for years, Anahat showed a remarkable calm.

She dominated from the start and won the match 11-3, 11-7, and 11-9 in 28 minutes. Salem was kept under pressure throughout by her shot selection and sharp volleys and her ability to retrieve what seemed like impossible returns.

One of the top contenders, the Egyptian, failed to find rhythm against Anahat’s speed and precision. The Indian teenager converted crucial points in the second and third games, finishing with a cross-court winner that drew celebrations from the Indian camp.

“It was about sticking to the plan, being patient,” Anahat said post-match. “It means a lot to play against the world no. 1 junior nation in the final and win.

Dream Fulfilled After Last Year’s Bronze 
Anahat had clinched bronze in the same championship last year. That result had given her the motivation to go one step further.

Over the past 12 months, she has been training hard in India and abroad, working on her fitness and competing in PSA events to gain experience against seniors. The work paid off as she entered the World Juniors as one of the favourites and lived up to the billing.

Anahat’s journey from being a child prodigy winning multiple national titles to becoming a world junior champion is a testament to her years of consistency and hard work.

Boost for Indian Squash  
Anahat’s victory is being hailed as a watershed moment for Indian squash. The sports minister, SRFI and fellow athletes congratulated her, calling the win an inspiration for youngsters picking up the racquet across the nation.

India has been performing well in the junior and senior circuits of late. This title adds to the growing competitiveness of the country against traditional powerhouses like Egypt and England.

Now the focus for Anahat is to make the transition to the senior tour. But for Indian squash, her historic gold has already done something bigger; it has shown that a world title is possible.