Anahat Singh Scripts History as India’s First World Junior Squash Champion

NIAGARA, CANADA — Indian squash sensation Anahat Singh etched her name into the record books on July 25, 2026, after winning the women’s singles title at the WSF World Junior Squash Championships. The 18-year-old Gen Z prodigy defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem 3–0 (11–3, 11–8, 11–9) in the final, becoming the first player from India to claim a World Junior Championship gold medal. The landmark victory broke a 13-tournament streak of Egyptian dominance in the girls' division dating back to 2011, establishing Singh as a major force on the international circuit.

Dominant Path to the World Junior Crown

Singh executed a commanding campaign throughout the week in Niagara. Over six matches in the tournament, the top-seeded Indian dropped only two games in total.

She opened her tournament with victories against Australia’s Lily Wilson, Hong Kong’s Chloe Lo, and Malaysia’s Doyce Ye San Lee, securing straight-game wins in her first three rounds. Singh then navigated a tough draw against three consecutive Egyptian competitors in the knockout phase:

• Quarterfinals: Defeated Habiba Rizk 3–1

• Semifinals: Defeated Barb Sameh 3–1

• Final: Defeated Ruqayya Salem 3–0

In the final, Anahat Singh dictated the tempo early on, allowing Salem just three points in the opening game. Despite Salem’s rally in the second and third games, Singh maintained composure at crucial junctures to seal the title.

Rise of India’s Squash Superstar

Born on March 13, 2008, in New Delhi, Anahat Singh initially trained in badminton before transitioning to squash at age eight. Her international breakthrough came in 2019 when she won the British Junior Open U-11 title.

She rapidly advanced through age-group ranks, claiming prestigious international titles including the U-15 US Junior Open (2021), German Junior Open (2022), Asian Junior Championship U-15 (2022), and British Junior Open U-15 (2023).

At 14, Singh made her senior multi-sport event debut as the youngest athlete in the Indian delegation at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. A year later, she won two bronze medals at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou in the women’s team and mixed doubles events. In November 2023, she became the second-youngest player to win the Indian Senior National Championship.

During the 2024 season, Singh won nine Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger titles, matching a single-calendar record for women's titles last set by squash icon Nicol David in 2010. Her steady progression earned her the PSA Female Challenger Player of the Season and PSA Young Female Player of the Season awards for 2024–25.

Official Sources Section

According to official tournament documentation released by the World Squash Federation (WSF), Anahat Singh completed the 2026 WSF World Junior Championship women’s draw without losing a match, capping her final year of junior eligibility with the gold medal.

Statements from the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) confirmed the historical milestone, noting that Singh’s victory represents India’s first individual world title at any junior or senior World Championship level in squash. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports officials also released statements commending Singh for her victory in Canada.

Quote Section

Reflecting on her historical achievement following the medal presentation in Niagara, Anahat Singh shared her perspective on ending her junior career on top:

"It means the world to me. I still feel like I'm dreaming," Singh stated. "I've been losing in the semifinals and quarterfinals over the last four years, so this was my last year as a junior and my only chance to win it. I knew if I was stressed, I would play terribly, so I just came out on court and hit my lines well."

Why It Matters

Anahat Singh's historic win signifies a major structural shift in global squash, breaking Egyptian dominance in the junior categories for the first time since 2010. Her success highlights the growing competitiveness of Indian squash on the world stage.

With squash officially added to the sports program for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, Singh’s rapid elevation into the top 20 of the PSA world rankings positions her as a prime contender for India as the country prepares for its debut Olympic squash campaign.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Historical Milestone: Anahat Singh is the first Indian player to win the World Junior Squash Championship title.

• Tournament Score: Defeated Egypt's Ruqayya Salem 3–0 (11–3, 11–8, 11–9) in the 2026 final in Niagara, Canada.

• Dominant Run: Dropped only two games across six matches during her entire tournament campaign.

• Streak Breaker: Ended a 13-edition streak of Egyptian champions in the girls' singles division.

• Senior Ranking: Reached a career-high PSA world ranking of No. 19 in 2026.

FAQ Section

Who is Anahat Singh?

Anahat Singh is an 18-year-old professional squash player from New Delhi, India. She is the 2026 World Junior Squash Champion, a multi-time Asian Games medalist, and three-time Indian Senior National Champion.

What record did Anahat Singh set at the World Junior Squash Championships?

Anahat Singh became the first Indian squash player ever to win the World Junior Championship. She also became the first non-Egyptian player to win the girls' singles event since 2010.

Where were the 2026 World Junior Squash Championships held?

The 2026 World Junior Squash Championships took place in Niagara, Canada.

What are Anahat Singh's major career titles?

Her key career titles include the 2026 World Junior Championship, Asian Doubles Championships (2025), Asian Junior Championships (U-15 and U-17), British Junior Open (U-11, U-15, U-17), US Junior Open (U-15), and 16 PSA senior titles.

Source: World Squash Federation (WSF), Professional Squash Association (PSA), Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Government of India).