Asian Squash Awards 2025: Abhay Singh named Men’s Player of the Year, Anahat Singh wins Junior honour
Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh win top honours at the Asian Squash Awards 2025, while India’s men’s team is named Team of the Year.
India’s top seed Anahat Singh continued her impressive run at the 2026 World Junior Squash Championships, defeating Egypt’s Habiba Rizk to book her place in the women’s singles semifinals in Ontario on Thursday.
The women’s world No. 20 produced another composed display to beat the fifth/eighth seed 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9 in the quarterfinals.
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Anahat Singh creates history with back-to-back World Junior semifinals
With the victory, Anahat became the first Indian to reach back-to-back semifinals at the World Junior Squash Championships, underlining her status as one of the tournament favourites.
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The top seed is now just one win away from becoming the first Indian to reach the final of the prestigious junior event and remains firmly in contention to script history by claiming India’s maiden World Junior title.
Anahat will next face Egypt’s Barb Sameh, who advanced to the last four after a straight-games win over Hong Kong, China’s Helen Tang.
The other women’s semifinal will feature another all-Egyptian clash between second seed Ruqayya Salem and Malika Elkaraksy. Salem survived a five-game battle against Malaysia’s Whitney Wilson, while Elkaraksy eased past Belgium’s Savannah Moxham in straight games.
Egypt dominate men’s semifinals
The men’s draw will feature an all-Egyptian semifinal lineup after the country’s top contenders progressed from the quarterfinals.
Top seed Mohamad Zakaria advanced comfortably with a straight-games win over USA’s Yaseen Shalaby, while Seifeldin Refaay defeated Belgium’s Maddox Moxham in three games to set up a last-four clash with Zakaria.
Second seed Adam Hawal overcame Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Alnasfan in four games, while Marwan Assal booked the final semifinal spot after edging France’s Amir Khaled-Jousselin in a thrilling five-game contest.
With momentum firmly on her side, Anahat will now look to take another step towards history when she faces Barb Sameh for a place in the World Junior Squash Championships 2026 final.
Quarter-final Women’s Results
[1] Anahat Singh (IND) bt [5/8] Habiba Rizk (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9
[3/4] Barb Sameh (EGY) bt [5/8] Helen Tang (HKG) 3-0: 11-1, 11-9, 11-7
[2] Ruqayya Salem (EGY) bt [9/12] Whitney Wilson (MAS) 3-2: 4-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7
[3/4] Malika Elkaraksy (EGY) bt [5/8] Savannah Moxham (BEL) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 11-5
World Squash Junior Individual Championships – Quarter-final Men’s Results
[1] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt [9/12] Yaseen Shalaby (USA) 3-0:11-0, 11-7, 11-4.
[3/4] Seifeldin Refaay (EGY) bt [9/12] Maddox Moxham (BEL) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-9
[2] Adam Hawal (EGY) bt [9/12] Mohammed Alnasfan (KSA) 3-1: 11-2, 10-12, 11-3, 11-3
[3/4] Marwan Assal (EGY) bt [5/8] Amir Khaled-Jousselin (FRA) 3-2: 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7
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