India’s Anahat Singh has scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship, defeating Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in the women’s singles final at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada. The 18-year-old top seed’s commanding straight-games victory marks India’s biggest-ever achievement in the prestigious junior event and ends Egypt’s long-standing dominance in the girls’ championship.
The landmark triumph is being hailed as a defining moment for Indian squash, with Anahat calling it an achievement that “means the world” to her after years of perseverance. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated the teenager, describing her feat as a “phenomenal achievement” and a proud moment for the country.
The victory further strengthens Anahat’s reputation as one of India’s brightest sporting prospects ahead of squash’s return to the Olympic programme in Los Angeles 2028.
Historic Win Ends India’s Long Wait
Anahat entered the tournament in Canada as the top seed and lived up to expectations with an impressive run, culminating in a dominant victory over second seed Ruqayya Salem of Egypt in the final. The Delhi-born teenager controlled the match from the outset, winning 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 to secure the biggest title of her young career.
The triumph makes her the first Indian to lift the World Junior Squash Championship trophy, a feat that had eluded the country despite producing accomplished players over the years. Speaking after her victory, Anahat said the title “means the world” to her, reflecting on the years of hard work, sacrifices and repeated attempts that finally culminated in success.
Congratulating her on social media, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya wrote, “History made! Congratulations to Anahat Singh on becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship. A phenomenal achievement and a proud moment for every Indian.” Sports enthusiasts and former players also hailed the victory as a watershed moment that could inspire a new generation of Indian squash players.
A Journey of Persistence
Anahat’s historic title is the culmination of years of steady progress on the international stage. She first grabbed national attention as one of India’s youngest competitors at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and has since emerged as one of the country’s most promising squash players.
At last year’s World Junior Championships, she reached the semi-finals and claimed a historic bronze medal before returning this year determined to go one step further. Earlier in the tournament, she became the first Indian in 21 years to reach the World Junior final, matching a feat last achieved by Joshna Chinappa in 2005. Her route to the title included victories over Egypt’s Habiba Rizk in the quarter-finals and Barb Sameh in the semi-finals before overcoming Ruqayya Salem in the championship match.
Beyond creating history for India, Anahat’s victory also brought an end to Egypt’s remarkable run of dominance in the girls’ event, underlining the changing landscape of world squash. Ranked among the world’s top senior players despite still being a junior, the 18-year-old has already won medals at the Commonwealth and Asian Games and is widely regarded as one of India’s strongest medal hopes for future global competitions, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where squash will make its Olympic debut.
Her latest triumph signals that Indian squash is steadily closing the gap on traditional powerhouses through sustained investment, better coaching and a growing pipeline of talented young athletes.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Anahat Singh’s extraordinary achievement is far more than a personal milestone—it reflects the transformative power of dedication, family support, quality coaching and long-term investment in grassroots sport. At a time when cricket often dominates public attention, victories like these remind us that India possesses immense talent across a diverse range of disciplines waiting to be nurtured.
Celebrating athletes such as Anahat not only rewards excellence but also encourages thousands of young children, especially girls, to dream beyond conventional sporting choices. Her success should motivate policymakers, sporting bodies and educational institutions to continue strengthening access to world-class training, infrastructure and financial support so that talent can flourish regardless of background.
Sporting excellence has the power to unite communities, inspire confidence and create role models who redefine what is possible for future generations. What more can India do to ensure that inspiring achievements like Anahat Singh’s become the beginning of a sustained sporting legacy rather than isolated moments of brilliance?
विश्व जूनियर स्क्वैश चैंपियनशिप-2026 में गर्ल्स सिंगल्स का खिताब जीतकर पहली भारतीय बनने वाली प्रतिभाशाली बेटी @Anahat_Singh13 को हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएँ।
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) July 26, 2026
आपकी यह ऐतिहासिक उपलब्धि देश की बेटियों और युवा खिलाड़ियों के लिए प्रेरणा का स्रोत है तथा भारत की बढ़ती खेल उत्कृष्टता का… pic.twitter.com/70tnDGGdXn
