Blitz Bureau
Saji Chacko Anahat Singh’s historic victory at the 2026 World Junior Squash Championships is much more than an individual achievement—it marks a defining moment in the evolution of Indian squash. By becoming the first Indian ever to win the World Junior Squash Championship, the 18-year-old from New Delhi has broken a barrier that had stood for decades and announced India’s arrival as a genuine force in a sport long dominated by Egypt and England.
For years, Indian squash has produced world-class professionals such as Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa. While they achieved remarkable success on the PSA Tour, won Commonwealth Games medals and helped popularise the sport in India, the elusive World Junior title remained beyond the country’s reach. Joshna Chinappa came closest when she finished runner-up in 2005, but no Indian had managed to scale the final summit until Anahat. Her triumph finally fills one of the biggest gaps in Indian squash’s resume.
What makes the achievement even more significant is the opponent and the era in which it was accomplished. Egypt has enjoyed an almost unchallenged monopoly over world squash for more than a decade, producing a conveyor belt of junior and senior world champions. Anahat’s straight-games victory over Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem not only secured the title but also ended Egypt’s long reign at the junior championships, underlining the magnitude of her success.
Carefully planned rise
The victory is also the culmination of a carefully planned rise. Anahat has steadily progressed through every age group, winning Asian junior titles, excelling on the professional PSA Tour, breaking into the world’s top 20 rankings and competing successfully against seasoned professionals well before turning 19. Her junior world title is therefore not an isolated success but confirmation that India has produced a player capable of challenging the very best on the global stage.
From an Indian perspective, the timing could not be better. Squash will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Anahat’s victory gives India genuine hope of becoming a medal contender in a sport where it has traditionally been competitive but not dominant. More importantly, she has two years to mature further before the Olympics, making her one of India’s brightest prospects.
The psychological impact of this victory may prove even greater than the medal itself. Indian squash players have often entered global competitions believing they could compete but not necessarily dominate. Anahat has shattered that mental barrier as future generations will no longer view a World Junior title as a mere title. Her success is also likely to trigger increased investment in grassroots squash. Equally important is the message it sends about India’s sporting ecosystem.. Her triumph validates the long-term efforts of the Squash Rackets Federation of India, private academies and support staff who have worked tirelessly to bridge the gap with the world’s best.
Ultimately, Anahat Singh’s World Junior title is not just another international medal—it is a watershed moment for Indian squash.
Career High Points
2020 Won the British Open Under-11 title becoming the second Indian to achieve this feat.
2021 Won the US Open Under-15 title. In the final she defeated two time champion, Egypts’s Sandra Gamal. Became only the second Indian ever to achieve this feat.
2022 Won the Asian Jr Championships and Dutch, Danish and Finland Opens.
2023 Won the British Open Under -15 title. Also became the youngest player to represent India at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
2024 Won her maiden Senior National Championsips becoming the youngest player in more than two decades.
2025 Won bronze medal at World Junior Championhships— in the process became the only Indian to win mutltiple medals at the Worlds in various age categories. Also won a World Cup gold medal and an Asian Championships gold.
2026 Became the first Indian to win the World Championships
Under-18 title.
