Every sport has a defining moment that changes its trajectory. For Indian squash, that moment arrived in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, where 18-year-old Anahat Singh became the country’s first-ever world junior champion, defeating Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem in the final.
It was more than just a gold medal. It was the end of Egypt’s 16-year dominance at the World Junior Squash Championships and the beginning of a new chapter for Indian squash.
India has long produced world-class squash players. From Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal to Saurav Ghosal and the current crop led by Ramit Tandon and Velavan Senthilkumar, the country has consistently challenged the world’s best.
Yet one prize remained frustratingly out of reach. Joshna Chinappa came agonisingly close in 2005, finishing runner-up, but no Indian had managed to lift the junior world crown. Anahat has now erased that statistic.
The victory was no flash in the pan. Entering the tournament as the top seed and India’s No. 1 player, Anahat Singh did not lose a single game throughout the championship.
It was a performance befitting a player who has already established herself among the world’s leading professionals on the PSA Tour despite still being in her teens.
For national head coach Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, the triumph ranks among the greatest moments in Indian squash.
“This was the one title missing from Indian squash history,” Sandhu told Olympics.com. “As big as this moment is for Anahat, it is equally significant for Indian squash. It will be remembered in India and across the squash world for many years.”
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is the opponent she conquered. Egypt has been the undisputed powerhouse of squash for nearly two decades, producing world champions with astonishing regularity. Their players have dominated both the junior and senior circuits, making the World Junior Championships almost their private domain.
Anahat Singh not only broke that monopoly but did so against the tournament’s second seed, becoming the first non-Egyptian player in 16 years to win the women’s title.
The journey to the top, however, was far from straightforward.
Before standing atop the podium in Canada, Anahat Singh had endured three heartbreaking campaigns at previous World Junior Championships. On each occasion, she came agonisingly close before falling short against Egyptian opponents.
Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu remembers those difficult moments vividly.
“Those losses were heartbreaking for her and for all of us,” he said. “We waited three long years and worked on every aspect of her game. More importantly, we worked on her mindset. We wanted to break those barriers mentally as much as physically, and she achieved that.”
According to the coach, the biggest transformation in Anahat’s game over the past year has not been technical but psychological.
Her movement around the court, deceptive shot-making and attacking instincts have always been among her greatest strengths. What changed was her ability to remain calm under pressure, trust her preparation and embrace the biggest occasions instead of fearing them.
“The biggest difference has been her mental composure,” Sandhu explained. “She stayed balanced in the crucial moments, particularly in the semi-finals and final. Her ability to handle pressure made all the difference.”
That composure was evident throughout the championship. Against Salem in the final, Anahat Singh controlled the rallies from the very first game. Even when the Egyptian threatened a comeback in the third, the Indian teenager never lost control.
The victory is a reminder of how rapidly Anahat has climbed the ranks. While most teenagers are still finding their feet on the professional circuit, she has already beaten several established players on the PSA Tour and earned a reputation as one of the brightest young talents in world squash.
Balancing the demands of the professional circuit with junior competition is never easy. Expectations are enormous, particularly when a player arrives as the top seed carrying the hopes of an entire nation.
“There are huge expectations because she is already among the world’s best professionals,” Sandhu said. “For someone so young, she handled those expectations incredibly well.”
Beyond rankings and trophies, Sandhu believes Anahat’s greatest contribution could be the inspiration she provides to the next generation.
Indian badminton witnessed an unprecedented surge in popularity after pioneers such as Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu became world beaters. Squash now hopes to experience a similar transformation.
“I hope this becomes a turning point,” Sandhu said. “Indian players have always had the ability to compete with the best. Anahat has proved that belief is justified. I hope young boys and girls see her success, believe that they too can become world champions and take up the sport.”
The timing could hardly be better.
Squash will make its long-awaited Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Games, offering players an opportunity previous generations never had.
While the immediate focus shifts to the Asian Games, where she is expected to spearhead India’s challenge, the long-term roadmap is equally clear. Breaking into the world’s top 10, consistently competing for major PSA titles and preparing for LA 2028 are now realistic ambitions rather than distant dreams.
Despite her extraordinary achievements, Sandhu believes what truly sets Anahat apart is not simply her talent but her relentless desire to improve.
“What makes her special is her hunger to learn,” he said. “She listens carefully, absorbs everything we discuss and tries to execute it on court. Above all, she has the courage to take on the best players in the world. That is a rare quality.”
Moments after the historic victory, there were no elaborate celebrations. “The first thing she said was, ‘I still can’t believe it,'” Sandhu recalled. “There were smiles, relief, high-fives and handshakes. We were simply enjoying the moment.”
For Sandhu, however, this historic triumph is not the destination.
“This title should never be seen as the end,” he said. “It is the beginning. It should strengthen the belief of players, coaches, sponsors and everyone associated with Indian squash. It proves that together we can produce world champions.”
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/harinder-pal-singh-sandhu-india-squash-anahat-singh-world-junior-champion
