Anahat Singh becomes first Indian to win World Junior Squash Championship
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Indian squash player Anahat Singh created history on Saturday by becoming the first Indian to win a squash world title at any level after claiming the World Junior Squash Championship in Ontario, Canada.
The 19-year-old defeated Egypt's second seed Ruqayya Salem in straight games 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in the final.
Earlier, Anahat had become only the second Indian woman after Joshna Chinappa to reach the final of the tournament. With the victory, she became the first Indian to win the title.
Anahat dominated the opening game 11-3 and followed it up with an 11-7 win in the second. Salem mounted a challenge in the third game and led 8-6, but the Indian fought back to seal it 11-9 and clinch the championship.
"I still feel like I am dreaming. This tournament has been the worst for me as I have been losing in semis and quarters every edition," Anahat told Squash TV after the match.
She said the tournament had been "like a curse" because of her repeated quarter-final and semi-final exits, adding that she knew it was her final opportunity to win the junior title.
Anahat reached the semi-finals in 2025 before losing 3-0 to Egypt's Nadien Elhammamy and settling for the bronze medal. She had also exited in the quarter-finals in her previous three appearances.
Reflecting on the deciding game, Anahat said she did not realise she was trailing but focused on playing her natural game and enjoying the experience of competing in a World Championship final.
The victory also ended Egypt's long dominance in the tournament. Anahat is the first non-Egyptian player to win the women's junior world title since Amanda Sobhy of the United States in 2010.
Anahat turned professional at the age of 16 and is currently ranked world No. 20. She is coached by former world champion Gregory Gaultier and mentored by Indian squash player Saurav Ghosal.