Anahat Singh's Olympic Ambition: Asian Games Gold is the Key
Mumbai: In the journey of every young athlete, there comes a defining moment when the path forward becomes crystal clear. For India's teenage squash prodigy Anahat Singh, that moment is now, and it is symbolized by the pursuit of an Asian Games gold medal. The stakes have never been more explicit, with squash's inclusion in the Olympics adding a new layer of urgency and opportunity to her career.
The Olympic Qualification Pathway
For Asian players, the equation is straightforward and compelling: securing a gold medal at the Asian Games guarantees a coveted spot at the Olympics. "That's definitely what my main aim is," stated the 18-year-old Anahat during an interview ahead of the JSW Indian Open squash tournament, a Copper event starting today. "If I'm able to qualify through the Asian Games, that would be really amazing."
This represents a significant shift not only in ambition but also in mindset. What was once a goal for a podium finish has transformed into an all-or-nothing pursuit. "My aim was to get a medal in the Asian Games. Now it's gone from a medal to a gold," she explained. "That has definitely changed."
Confidence Fueled by Recent Success
Anahat's confidence is well-founded, backed by a series of impressive performances in recent months. Her breakthrough run in the United States—participating in three tournaments, clinching one title, and surging into the world's top 20 rankings—has provided validation that goes beyond mere numbers. "I ended up winning one of them, which I wasn't expected to win," she recalled. "Those three tournaments definitely gave me a lot of confidence... that I'm able to compete with the top players."
Despite this upward momentum, she remains cautious. A month-long break, partly due to academic commitments, has interrupted her competitive rhythm. "I've not played a tournament in almost a month, so I want to see if the momentum is still there," she admitted. "Hopefully it is, because I've been training quite hard."
Strategic Focus and Training Regimen
With the Asian Games dominating her schedule and thoughts, every decision—from training intensity to tournament selection—is now filtered through that lens. "Every single player is going to push on this one tournament," she emphasized. "I'm just going to put my 100 per cent until the Games."
She also has a backup plan. "If that (Asian Games gold) doesn't happen, then focus on rankings," she explained. "Get my ranking as high as possible so I'm not worried till the last minute." However, climbing the rankings has become increasingly challenging now that she's in the top 20. "From 10 to 20, almost everyone's at the same level," she noted. "Even to go up one spot, you need to win a really big tournament."
To elevate her game, Anahat is concentrating on physical conditioning, particularly endurance. "I'd seen that if I had one really long match, I wouldn't be able to back it up," she said. "I've been focusing on getting my stamina up as high as possible."
Guidance from a World-Class Coach
Assisting her in this quest is her coach, former world No. 1 Gregory Gaultier, whose rigorous approach has reshaped her training environment. "He's very strict... he makes sure that for the one-and-a-half to two hours I'm on court, I'm at 100%," she described. "He doesn't give me even a little bit of scope to be casual."
Balancing Squash with Academics
Beyond the squash courts and Professional Squash Association rankings, Anahat is navigating another critical aspect of her life: her board exams, which commence in April and extend into May. "I think they (pre-boards) were pretty good," she said cautiously. "Now I'm going to be focusing on my boards."
As Anahat Singh prepares for the challenges ahead, her journey exemplifies the dedication and strategic planning required to excel at the highest levels of sport. With the Asian Games gold as her primary target, she stands on the brink of making history for Indian squash and securing her place on the Olympic stage.
