Sometimes, an athlete’s victory is not limited merely to winning a match or securing a medal. It can redefine an entire country’s sporting achievements and give them a new direction. One such golden moment in the history of Indian squash has arrived with the groundbreaking triumph of 18-year-old Anahat Singh.
This young Sikh athlete from Delhi has achieved what no Indian player, male or female, had ever accomplished before by winning the World Junior Squash Championship 2026 in Ontario, Canada. In the final, Anahat defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem, regarded as a formidable player in the world of squash, in three straight games with scores of 11-3, 11-7, and 11-9. With this remarkable victory, Anahat has inscribed India’s name in golden letters on the global sporting map.
Ending Egypt’s 13-Year Reign
This was not merely a world title; it was one of the biggest upsets in the history of global squash. With this historic victory, Anahat Singh brought an end to Egypt’s uninterrupted 13-year reign and dominance in women’s junior squash.
Egypt is regarded as a superpower in squash, and for nearly the past decade and a half, Egyptian players had dominated the final of this championship. To defeat an Egyptian player in such a fiercely competitive and prestigious final without allowing her to win even a single game is the strongest proof of Anahat’s exceptional technique, mental strength, and unwavering courage.
For Indian squash fans, this moment is deeply emotional and special. In 2005, legendary Indian player Joshna Chinappa reached the final of the same World Junior Championship and finished as the runner-up. After that, India waited for this title for two decades, or 21 years. More than two decades later, Anahat Singh not only ended that long wait but also became India’s first-ever World Junior Squash Champion, securing an immortal place in sporting history.
Champion Anahat: Born and Raised in a Sporting Environment
According to available information, Anahat Singh, born on 13 March 2008 in New Delhi, belongs to a family where sport is regarded not merely as entertainment but as an important part of life.
Her father, Gursharan Singh, a successful lawyer by profession, was a good field hockey player during his college years. Her mother, Tani Vadehra, an interior designer, has also played field hockey. Her sister, Amira Singh, began playing squash before Anahat and established her own identity at the national level.
Growing up in such a sporting environment, Anahat learned discipline, physical fitness, and sportsmanship from an early age.
An interesting fact is that squash was not Anahat’s first choice. As a child, she was greatly inspired by India’s Olympic medallist badminton player P. V. Sindhu and began training in badminton. She also won several local badminton tournaments.
However, when she entered squash after watching her elder sister Amira play, her natural talent became apparent to everyone. Her coaches and family realised that squash was the sport in which Anahat’s true future lay.
Born and raised in a Sikh family, Anahat clearly reflects the values of Sikh heritage, including tireless hard work, humility, Chardi Kala, and discipline. Despite her young age and world-class achievements, she remains grounded. Rather than making grand statements in the media, she prefers to let her performance on the court speak for her.
An Unbeaten Championship Campaign: Only Two Games Lost in Six Matches
Anahat Singh entered the World Junior Championship 2026 as the tournament’s top-seeded player. The manner in which she performed throughout the competition proved that she was the most deserving contender for the title.
In the opening round, she comfortably defeated Australia’s Lily Wilson. In the second and third rounds, she produced outstanding performances to overcome Chloe Lo of Hong Kong and Doyce Ye San Lee of Malaysia. In the quarter-final, she defeated Egypt’s challenging player Habiba Rizk.
In the semi-final, she overcame another Egyptian player, Barb Sameh, in a fierce contest to secure her place in the final. In the title match, she defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, and 11-9 to lift the trophy.
Across the six matches she played during the tournament, Anahat allowed her opponents to win only two games. This statistic demonstrates the extent of her dominance.
This success did not come overnight. At the 2025 World Junior Championship, Anahat had won a bronze medal, ending India’s 15-year medal drought in the event. Within a year, through sheer hard work, she transformed that bronze into gold.
Senior-Level Maturity at a Junior Age
It is worth noting that although Anahat Singh is only 18 years old, she has already secured a place among the world’s finest senior players. She is ranked among the top 20 players in the Professional Squash Association’s senior world rankings.
At just 14 years of age, she represented India’s senior team at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she became the youngest Indian athlete to participate in the Games. She also played an important role in helping India win a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games.
A New Golden Era for Indian Squash and the 2028 Olympics
India has produced great squash players such as Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal, and Joshna Chinappa, who have brought international recognition to the country. However, the one achievement that had remained unfulfilled—producing a World Junior Champion—has now been accomplished by Anahat.
This historic success has arrived at a time when squash is set to be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games for the first time. Sports experts believe that, given the pace at which Anahat’s game is developing, she could emerge as India’s strongest contender for a historic medal at the 2028 Olympics.
It must be said that this is a moment of immense pride for Punjab, Delhi, the entire Sikh community, and the whole country. Through her dedication, this young daughter has proved that when talent is supported by a family, proper coaching, and firm determination, no goal in the world is impossible.
In today’s era, when young athletes face enormous pressure to produce results, Anahat Singh’s journey teaches us that success does not come overnight. It is the outcome of years of tireless hard work, patience, and continuous practice.
Anahat’s victory is not merely a gold medal; it marks the beginning of a new golden era in Indian squash. In the years ahead, thousands of young boys and girls will draw inspiration from her and pick up squash racquets. Yet the pages of sporting history will always record in golden letters that the fearless athlete who gave India its first World Junior Squash Champion was Anahat Singh.
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