Anahat Singh created history by becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships, defeating Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem in straight games in the women’s final before describing the achievement as one that “means the world” in her final year as a junior.
The world No. 20 and tournament top seed produced a commanding display to beat the second-seeded Egyptian 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 and clinch the biggest title of her career.
The victory also ended Egypt’s 15-year dominance in the girls’ event, making Anahat the first non-Egyptian player to lift the World Junior title since American Amanda Sobhy in 2010.
Having reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals in previous editions, Anahat completed a memorable breakthrough by becoming the first Indian in 21 years to reach the World Junior final since Joshna Chinappa in 2005 before going one step further and lifting the trophy.
‘It means the world’: Anahat Singh
An emotional Anahat admitted the achievement had not fully sunk in after ending years of heartbreak at the tournament.
“I still feel like I’m dreaming. I’ve been losing in the semis and quarters over the last four years. I’ve always said, if anyone’s asked, ‘This tournament’s a curse,’ and I’ve never been able to play well in the event,” she said.
The 17-year-old revealed she approached the final with a simple mindset, knowing it was her final opportunity to win the junior world title.
“This is my last year as a junior and my only chance to win it. It means the world. I knew if I’m stressed, I play terribly, so I just came out on court, hit my lines well and wanted to enjoy every moment of getting to play in a World Championship final.”
Anahat had entered the tournament on the back of a bronze-medal finish last year, but this time overcame two Egyptian opponents in the knockout stages to become India’s first junior world champion.
‘A dream come true for Indian squash’
Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) secretary-general Cyrus Poncha hailed the triumph as a landmark moment for Indian squash.
“It’s a historic moment for Indian squash. Anahat has the potential to reach great heights,” Poncha said.
He added that the achievement fulfilled a long-held vision of former SRFI patron N. Ramachandran.
“Mr N. Ramachandran always said it was his dream that India produce a world champion in individual events. We achieved it in doubles, but to replicate that success in singles is really a dream come true.
“A lot of hard work and effort by Anahat, of course, but we’ve had the entire nation behind her and her successes over the last few years.”