ANAHAT SINGH MAKES HISTORY

The Final - July 25, 2026, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Anahat Singh def. Ruqayya Salem [EGY] 3-0: 11-3, 11-7, 11-9

Seed: Anahat was the Top seed and World No. 20

Result: First Indian EVER to win the World Junior Squash Championship . 

Why this win is MASSIVE

First Indian Champion: Bettered Joshna Chinappa's runner-up finish in 2005. Ended India's 21-year wait for a finalist

Ended Egypt's 15-year dominance: No non-Egyptian had won since Amanda Sobhy in 2010. Egyptians had won every title since 2011

Dominant run: Dropped just 2 games in 6 matches. Won first 3 matches without dropping a game . 

Road to the Title

R32: Beat Lilly Wilson [AUS] 3-0

R16: Beat Pui Yin Chloe Lo [HKG] 3-0

R32: Beat Doyce Ye San Lee [MAS] 3-0

QF: Beat Habiba Rizk [EGY] 3-1 (11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9)

SF: Beat Barb Sameh [EGY] 3-1 (11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6). Became first Indian in 21 years to reach final

Final: Beat Ruqayya Salem [EGY] 3-0 . 

About Anahat Singh, 18

From: Delhi. Born March 13, 2008

Current Senior Ranking: World No. 20. Youngest Asian to break into top 20

Already achieved:

Gold at 2025 World Cup

2 Bronze at 2023 Asian Games

2 Gold + 2 Bronze at Asian Championships

9 PSA titles in 2024

Youngest Indian at Commonwealth Games 2022

Coaches: Stéphane Galifi, Grégory Gaultier. Mentor: Saurav Ghosal . 

What she said

"I means the world. I still feel like I'm dreaming. I've been losing in the semis and quarters over the last four years... This is my last year and my only chance to win it" . 

Reactions

PM Modi: "Proud of Anahat Singh for winning the Gold Medal and becoming the first Indian squash player ever to win the World Junior Championship title"

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya: "History Made! Congratulations to Anahat Singh" . 

What's Next

Squash debuts at LA Olympics 2028. At World No. 20, Anahat is already India's biggest hope for a first Olympic squash medal