Anahat Singh scripted history on Saturday, 25 July at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, becoming the first Indian ever to be crowned World Junior squash champion after claiming the women's title at the World Squash Junior Individual Championships. The World No. 20 and top seed defeated Egyptian second seed Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in the women's final to seal the biggest title of her career.

A Historic Breakthrough

Anahat's triumph carries weight well beyond a single tournament victory. She became the first non-Egyptian player to win the World Junior Squash Championship since Amanda Sobhy of the United States in 2010, ending a remarkable 15-year Egyptian stranglehold on the title that had run unbroken since 2011. No Indian player had reached this final in 21 years before Anahat did so on the eve of her title run.

The Road to the Final

On Friday night, Anahat had defeated Egypt's Barb Sameh in four games to advance to the summit clash — a match she had described with characteristic composure. '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,' she said after the semifinal. '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.'

Her words proved prophetic. Anahat carried that determination into the final, dispatching Salem in straight games with a display that grew increasingly dominant across three games.

Context and Career Arc

This victory marks a steep upward trajectory for Anahat, who had won a bronze medal at the same championship the previous year. She has now progressed from quarterfinalist to semifinalist to champion across her four World Junior appearances — a consistency that underscores her development as one of India's most promising squash talents. Notably, this is the first time India has produced a World Junior champion in squash in either the men's or women's draw.

Men's Final Set Up

In the men's competition, Egypt's top seed Mohamad Zakaria advanced to his fourth consecutive World Junior final, defeating compatriot Selfeldin Refaay in straight games as he pursues a third world junior title. His opponent in the final will be fellow Egyptian and second seed Adam Hawal, who progressed after Marwan Assal retired injured during the third game of their semifinal, with Hawal already leading 2-0 at the time.

What Comes Next

Anahat's landmark win is expected to accelerate attention on Indian squash at the junior level and could influence national federation investment in the sport's grassroots pipeline. With the senior World Championships on the horizon, all eyes will now be on how quickly she can translate this junior pedigree onto the senior circuit.