Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated Anahat Singh after she became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship title.
'A proud moment': PM Modi, Mandaviya celebrate Anahat Singh's World Junior squash success/ Credit: World Squash
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led the tributes to Anahat Singh after the teenage squash sensation became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship title, calling her achievement a “historic feat” and expressing confidence that it would inspire more youngsters to take up the sport.
Taking to X, the prime minister wrote, “A historic feat at the 2026 World Junior Squash Championship. Proud of Anahat Singh for winning the gold medal and becoming the first Indian squash player ever to win the World Junior Championship title. This accomplishment will further popularise squash among the youth.”
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A historic feat at the 2026 World Junior Squash Championship.
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Proud of Anahat Singh for winning the Gold Medal and becoming the first Indian squash player ever to win the World Junior Championship title. This accomplishment will further popularise squash among the youth.… pic.twitter.com/NtvHnrKNDQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2026
The 18-year-old produced a dominant display in the women’s singles final at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, defeating Egypt’s second seed, Ruqayya Salem, 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 to lift the biggest title of her young career.
Top seed Anahat became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship and the first non-Egyptian player to claim the girls’ title since American Amanda Sobhy in 2010, ending Egypt’s 15-year dominance of the event.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya also congratulated Anahat, describing the victory as a landmark moment for Indian sport.
“History Made! Congratulations to Anahat Singh on becoming the first Indian ever to win the World Squash Junior Championship. A phenomenal achievement and a proud moment for every Indian,” he posted on X.
History Made! 🇮🇳
Congratulations to Anahat Singh (@Anahat_Singh13) on becoming the first Indian ever to win the World Squash Junior Championship.
A phenomenal achievement and a proud moment for every Indian. pic.twitter.com/SfURD0Zg69
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 25, 2026
The Sports Authority of India also celebrated the achievement, saying Anahat had created a landmark moment for Indian squash and inspired a new generation of players.
The title also ended India’s 21-year wait for a women’s finalist at the World Junior Championships, with Joshna Chinappa having last reached the final in 2005.
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