Anahat Singh on 26 July 2026 became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship, defeating Egypt's second seed Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in the women's singles final. The 18-year-old entered the tournament as the top seed and completed an unbeaten run to the title, ending Egypt's 15-year stranglehold on the event.

Historic Significance of the Win

Anahat is the first Indian and the first non-Egyptian player to win the women's World Junior Squash Championship since American Amanda Sobhy lifted the trophy in 2010. That 15-year gap underscores just how dominant Egypt has been in junior squash — and how emphatic the upset is. Her straight-games victory over the Egyptian second seed left no room for doubt.

Anahat's Rising Career

The triumph adds to an already impressive resume for a teenager. Anahat had won two bronze medals at the 2022 Asian Games as a 15-year-old and has also represented India at the Commonwealth Games. She is widely regarded as one of India's brightest squash prospects, and this title cements her status as the country's leading junior player.

PM Modi Hails the Achievement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Anahat on X, writing: 'A historic feat at the 2026 World Junior Squash Championship. Proud of Anahat Singh for winning the gold medal and becoming the first Indian squash player ever to win the World Junior Championship title. This accomplishment will further popularise squash among the youth.'

Modi made the remarks alongside broader praise for Indian sport during his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', where he also highlighted shuttler PV Sindhu's maiden Japan Open title — the first by any Indian in that event — and the Indian women's cricket team's landmark 270-run win over England at Lord's Cricket Ground, the first women's Test played at the historic venue.

What This Means for Squash in India

Squash has long remained a niche sport in India despite producing world-class talent. Anahat's world junior title — broadcast on a national platform by the Prime Minister himself — is expected to draw fresh attention to the sport. Notably, this is the kind of high-profile endorsement that has historically accelerated grassroots participation in other racquet sports. Whether the sport's governing bodies can capitalise on the moment with infrastructure and funding will determine how lasting that impact is.

With a world title at 18, Anahat Singh's trajectory points firmly toward the senior circuit — and a potential challenge to Egypt's dominance at the highest level of the game.