Anahat Singh made history on Saturday by becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship. The 14-year-old from New Delhi defeated top seed Amina Orfi of Egypt in the final held in Hamburg, Germany.
Historic Victory for India
Singh's 3-2 victory (11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6) in the girls' under-15 category marked a milestone for Indian squash. She dominated the fifth game after a closely contested match.
"I am overjoyed and proud to represent India on this global stage," Singh said after the match. "This win is for my coaches, family, and everyone who supported me."
A Rising Star
Anahat Singh trains at the Squash Academy in New Delhi under coach Cyrus Poncha. She has won multiple national junior titles and is considered one of the brightest prospects in the sport.
The win comes just months after she represented India at the Asian Games in 2022, where she was the youngest athlete in the Indian contingent. Her performance at the junior worlds has drawn praise from sports officials.
Impact on Indian Squash
According to officials from the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), this victory is expected to boost the sport's popularity in the country. "Anahat has shown that Indian players can compete at the highest level," said SRFI Secretary General.
India has seen steady growth in squash, with players like Joshna Chinappa and Saurav Ghosal achieving success internationally. Singh's achievement as the first Indian world junior champion further raises the profile of the sport.
