Anahat Singh Makes History as Youngest Asian in PSA World Top 20
Indian teenage squash star Anahat Singh has created sporting history by becoming the youngest Asian player ever to break into the prestigious PSA World Top 20 rankings. This remarkable achievement follows her stunning victory at the Fire Open in Washington, where she clinched her first-ever PSA bronze-level title in spectacular fashion.
Historic Victory in Washington
The 15-year-old prodigy capped off an extraordinary week with a giant-killing run at the Fire Open, defeating higher-ranked opponents with remarkable composure. Her path to the title included:
- Victory over world number 17 in the quarterfinal
- Triumph against world number 23 in the semifinal
- A stunning straight-games win against top seed Georgina Kennedy (world number 10) in the final
Anahat displayed exceptional skill and mental fortitude throughout the tournament, particularly in the championship match where she defeated the English star 12-10, 11-5, 11-7. This victory marked not only her maiden PSA bronze-level title but also her 15th overall title on the PSA Tour, achieved in just 26 tournaments - a testament to her rapid development and competitive prowess.
Record-Breaking Achievement
With this triumph, Anahat Singh has shattered the previous record held by eight-time World champion Nicol David, establishing herself as the youngest Asian player in history to enter the PSA World Top 20. Her ranking jumped an impressive 12 places following the Washington victory, propelling her into the elite group of world squash players.
"I'm extremely happy," Singh told Squash TV after her historic win. "Coming into this event, I played the British Junior Open a few weeks back and I didn't play too well. I knew in between these events I had some time to train, and I did as much as I possibly could to get the best out of my game. I knew I wanted to do well in these events, get my ranking up and also put on a performance, and I'm glad I was able to do that this time."
Smooth Transition to Senior Level
The teenager has been making a seamless transition from junior to senior competition, having already medaled at both the 2023 Asian Games and 2022 Commonwealth Games before focusing on PSA events. In an interview with The Indian Express during the nationals, Anahat reflected on this transition:
"There is a huge difference in the levels but it has been a decent transition for me. I am still learning quite a lot through it. Before I started going on the PSA tour, I played at CWG and Asiads and it helped me in the transition. At these events, I saw how these top 20 players play and deal with high pressure situations. At that time, I had no chance against them but over the past years, my confidence has been growing."
Under the mentorship of former Indian national champion Saurav Ghoshal, Anahat is approaching her senior career with measured progress, focusing on steady improvement while already achieving what many seasoned players take years to accomplish.
Bright Future Ahead
Anahat Singh's historic achievement represents a significant milestone for Indian squash and Asian sports overall. Her combination of technical skill, mental toughness, and rapid development suggests a promising future in international squash. As she continues to gain experience and confidence on the professional circuit, the young star is poised to become a dominant force in world squash for years to come.
The squash community worldwide is taking notice of this remarkable teenager who has not only broken records but has demonstrated the potential to reach even greater heights in the sport. Her journey serves as an inspiration to young athletes across Asia and demonstrates the growing strength of Indian squash on the global stage.
