Anahat Singh wins World Junior Squash title; Sindhu says 'only the beginning'
Synopsis
Anahat Singh just ended 14 years of Egyptian dominance in women's junior squash — and became the first Indian ever to win the World Junior title. PV Sindhu, who first spotted her maturity through OGQ in 2022, says the 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 demolition of Egypt's top players is just the opening chapter of a historic career.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh won the World Junior Squash Championships women's title on 26 July , becoming the first Indian to do so.
She defeated Egypt's Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in the final, ending Egypt's dominance of the event since 2011 .
Anahat is the first non-Egyptian women's world junior champion since American Amanda Sobhy in 2010 .
She was also the first Indian in 21 years to reach the women's final, defeating Egypt's Barb Sameh in the semifinals.
Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu praised Anahat on X , saying 'this is only the beginning' of many big victories to come.
Teenage squash sensation Anahat Singh on 26 July became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships title, defeating Egypt's second seed Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in the women's final. The landmark victory drew immediate praise from double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, who called it 'only the beginning' of what she expects to be a trophy-laden career.
Historic Victory in the Final
Anahat entered the tournament as the top seed and delivered a commanding performance in the title clash, dispatching Salem in straight games. The win made her the first non-Egyptian player to claim the women's World Junior Squash Championships crown since American Amanda Sobhy in 2010 — ending a remarkable run of Egyptian dominance that had produced every women's champion since 2011.
Her path to the final was itself historic: she became the first Indian player in 21 years to reach the women's final, overcoming Egypt's Barb Sameh in the semifinals before completing the job against another Egyptian opponent in the gold-medal match.
Sindhu's Praise on X
Sindhu shared a heartfelt tribute on X, writing: 'I couldn't be prouder of this young champion, Anahat Singh, for winning the World Junior Squash Championships!' The badminton star recalled first meeting Anahat through Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) in 2022, noting that what struck her most was not just the youngster's talent but her 'remarkable maturity, composure, and clarity.'
'Even at that age, what stood out wasn't just her extraordinary talent, but also the remarkable maturity, composure, and clarity with which she carried herself. It left a lasting impression on me,' Sindhu wrote. She added with conviction: 'I know this is only the beginning. This is the first of many, many big victories to come.'
What This Means for Indian Squash
Anahat's triumph is a watershed moment for the sport in India. She is the country's first-ever women's World Junior Squash champion, and her victory signals a generational shift in a discipline long dominated by Egyptian and other overseas players. Notably, this comes at a time when Indian racket sports are experiencing a broader surge in global competitiveness — from badminton to tennis — making Anahat's breakthrough all the more significant.
The OGQ programme, which has backed several of India's top athletes including Sindhu herself, played a role in Anahat's development, underlining the growing infrastructure behind elite Indian sport.
What's Next for Anahat
With the World Junior title secured, attention will now shift to Anahat's transition into the senior circuit, where she will be expected to build on this momentum. Her ability to dismantle top-seeded Egyptian opponents — who have historically dominated women's junior squash — suggests she is already equipped to compete at the highest level. The Indian squash ecosystem will be watching closely to see how quickly she makes her mark on the PSA World Tour.
Point of View
And India has not had a finalist in over two decades. The fact that Anahat dismantled two Egyptian opponents en route to the title, as the top seed, signals genuine competitive depth rather than a one-off upset. The OGQ pipeline deserves scrutiny here too: if it can replicate this model across more disciplines, India's junior-to-senior conversion rate — historically weak — could finally improve. The real test is whether the ecosystem around Anahat now accelerates her PSA ranking trajectory, or whether, as has happened before, a junior world champion is left to navigate the senior circuit without adequate structural support.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anahat Singh and what did she win?
Anahat Singh is a teenage Indian squash player who won the World Junior Squash Championships women's title, becoming the first Indian ever to claim the crown. She defeated Egypt's Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in the final.
Why is Anahat Singh's win historically significant?
Her victory ended Egypt's unbroken run as women's champion at the World Junior Squash Championships since 2011, making her the first non-Egyptian winner since Amanda Sobhy of the United States in 2010. She is also the first Indian in 21 years to reach the women's final.
What did PV Sindhu say about Anahat Singh?
PV Sindhu posted a tribute on X calling herself 'couldn't be prouder,' recalling how Anahat's maturity had left a lasting impression when they met through Olympic Gold Quest in 2022. Sindhu said, 'I know this is only the beginning. This is the first of many, many big victories to come.'
What is Olympic Gold Quest and what role did it play?
Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) is an Indian non-profit that identifies and supports elite athletes with funding and mentorship. Sindhu credited OGQ as the platform through which she first interacted with Anahat in 2022, highlighting its role in nurturing the young champion's development.
What happens next for Anahat Singh after this title?
With the World Junior title secured, Anahat is expected to focus on building her ranking on the PSA World Tour and making the transition to senior international squash. Her dominant run against top Egyptian opposition suggests she is already competitive at a higher level.
