Anahat Singh: The badminton fan who became India's first junior squash world champion

Anahat Singh scripted history on Saturday by becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships title, defeating Egypt's Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in the women's singles final.

The top-seeded Indian, who is ranked World No. 20 on the senior PSA Tour, enjoyed a dominant run throughout the tournament. She opened her campaign with a straight-games victory over Australia's Lilly Wilson before overcoming Hong Kong China's Pui Yin Chloe Lo and Malaysia's Doyce Ye San Lee to book a quarterfinal berth.

Anahat then defeated Egypt's Habiba Rizk 3-1 in the quarterfinals and another Egyptian, Barb Sameh, by the same margin in the semifinals before sweeping aside Ruqayya Salem in the title clash. The triumph also ended Egypt's 14-year dominance in the girls' event, with Egyptian players having won every title since 2011.


The gold medal marked another milestone for the Delhi teenager, who had ended India's 15-year wait for a medal at the junior world championships by winning bronze in Cairo last year.

Interestingly, squash was not Anahat's first love. As a six- or seven-year-old, she was captivated by badminton after watching stars such as PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal and Lee Chong Wei compete at the Indian Open at Delhi's Siri Fort Sports Complex. The sport remained close to her heart even after she switched disciplines.

Speaking to PTI earlier, Anahat revealed that she still loves badminton but eventually chose squash because she found it more exciting.

"I used to play badminton before and I have watched Sindhu play in Delhi. I hope I get to see her during the Games. On the squash front, it is really exciting as well. The players I have looked up to, I will be playing and travelling with them," she had said, referring to Indian squash stars Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal.

Her elder sister, Amira Singh, also played squash and played a significant role in shaping Anahat's sporting journey.

Recalling those early years, her mother, Tani Vadehra Singh, told PTI that frequent travel for Amira's tournaments prompted Anahat to take up squash as well.

"She loved badminton but as parents we used to travel with Amira for tournaments and Anahat did not want to be left alone in the house. That also played a big part in her switching to squash from badminton," she said.

She added that although Anahat gave up badminton years ago, she continues to follow the sport closely and remains in touch with her former coach.

Anahat's rise in squash began with her victory in the British Open Under-11 category in 2019. She later added the Asian Junior Under-15 title and the German Open crown to her growing list of achievements, establishing herself as one of India's brightest squash talents.

Now ranked among the world's top 20 on the senior PSA Tour, Anahat will look to build on her historic junior world title as squash prepares to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.