Anahat Singh reaches World Junior Squash final, ends India's 21-year drought
Synopsis
For the first time in 21 years, an Indian is in the final of the World Junior Squash Championships — and Anahat Singh, the top seed, is one win away from becoming the first Indian woman ever to lift the title. Her semifinal comeback against Egypt's Barb Sameh, after dropping the second game, showed exactly why she carried the top seeding into Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh defeated Egypt's Barb Sameh 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6 in the semifinal of the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships on 25 July .
Singh is the first Indian to reach the World Junior Squash final in 21 years , since Joshna Chinappa in 2005 .
She faces Egypt's second seed Ruqayya Salem in Saturday's final, with a chance to become the first Indian woman to win the title.
The men's final is an all-Egypt contest: top seed Mohamad Zakaria (chasing a third title) vs second seed Adam Hawal .
Hawal advanced after Marwan Assal retired injured while trailing 0-2 in their semifinal.
Anahat Singh scripted a landmark moment for Indian squash on Friday, 25 July 2026, becoming the first Indian in 21 years to reach the final of the World Squash Junior Championships in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The top-seeded Indian defeated Egypt's Barb Sameh (seeded 3/4) 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6 in a compelling semifinal, putting herself one win away from becoming the first Indian ever to claim the women's title.
A Historic Semifinal Win
Singh set the tempo immediately, racing through the opening game 11-3. Sameh steadied herself and levelled the contest with an 11-8 win in the second, threatening to shift momentum. But Singh responded with authority, dominating the final two games 11-4 and 11-6 to seal her place in the title match.
The last Indian to reach this stage was Joshna Chinappa in 2005 — making Singh's achievement the most significant result for Indian junior squash in over two decades. As the top seed in the draw, Singh had carried the weight of expectation throughout the tournament.
What Singh Said After the Match
'I'm really happy. I played Barb a few months ago at the British Junior Open, and it was a close match like this, so I knew I'd have to play really well,' Singh said after her victory. 'I didn't play my best yesterday, and I knew I had to come out today and show what I can do on court. I've played in four World Juniors and lost in the quarters and semis, so reaching the final has made my parents and coaches really happy, but the tournament's not over yet.'
The candid acknowledgement that the job is unfinished underscores Singh's competitive focus — she is not celebrating a semifinal, she is targeting the title.
The Final: Singh vs Salem
Standing between Singh and history is Egypt's second seed Ruqayya Salem, who defeated compatriot Malika Elkaraksy (seeded 3/4) in the other semifinal. Salem, who did not qualify for last year's championships, took early control with wins of 11-5 and 11-9. The 15-year-old Elkaraksy fought back to claim the third game, but Salem held her nerve, edging a tense fourth game 11-9 to advance.
An emotional Salem said afterwards: 'I'm speechless right now. I've worked so hard for this moment. Not qualifying for the event last year was devastating. I knew coming into this event that I wanted to make that pain worth it. I'm so happy to make it to the final.'
Men's Final: All-Egypt Affair
The men's competition will also feature an all-Egypt final. Top seed Mohamad Zakaria, chasing a remarkable third World Junior title, defeated compatriot Selfeldin Refaay in straight games to reach his fourth consecutive final. He will face second seed Adam Hawal, who advanced after Marwan Assal retired injured during the third game of their semifinal, with Hawal already leading 2-0.
A sympathetic Hawal said: 'I'm gutted that Marwan couldn't continue. We were playing some quality squash... I'm over the moon to progress, but it's not the best way to win.'
What's at Stake on Saturday
The finals of the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships take place on Saturday in Niagara-on-the-Lake. A win for Singh would not only be her first World Junior crown but also the first ever for an Indian woman at this event — a result that would redefine the ceiling for Indian junior squash on the global stage.
Point of View
But the framing of '21-year wait' risks underselling what Saturday actually represents — no Indian woman has ever won this title, full stop. The final against Salem, who carries her own redemption arc after missing last year's event entirely, sets up a genuinely absorbing contest between two players with everything to prove. Indian squash has long punched below its weight at the junior world stage despite producing senior stars; a Singh title on Saturday would signal that the pipeline is finally delivering at the top.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anahat Singh and why is her World Junior Squash final historic?
Anahat Singh is India's top-seeded junior squash player who reached the final of the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships on 25 July in Niagara-on-the-Lake. She is the first Indian in 21 years to reach this stage — the last being Joshna Chinappa in 2005 — and has the chance to become the first Indian woman ever to win the title.
How did Anahat Singh win her semifinal?
Singh defeated Egypt's Barb Sameh 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6 in four games. She won the opener convincingly, dropped the second game, then dominated the final two to seal her spot in the final.
Who will Anahat Singh face in the World Junior Squash final?
Singh will face Egypt's second seed Ruqayya Salem, who defeated compatriot Malika Elkaraksy in the other semifinal. Salem did not qualify for last year's championships and has described reaching the final as redemption for that setback.
When is the 2026 World Junior Squash Championships final?
The women's and men's finals are scheduled for Saturday, 26 July 2026, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.
What is happening in the men's World Junior Squash final?
The men's final is an all-Egypt contest between top seed Mohamad Zakaria, who is chasing a third World Junior title and his fourth consecutive final, and second seed Adam Hawal, who advanced after Marwan Assal retired injured while trailing 2-0 in their semifinal.
