India’s Anahat Singh achieved a landmark feat in Indian squash by becoming the country’s first-ever World Junior Squash champion. The 18-year-old defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem in straight games to lift the girls’ singles title at the World Squash Junior Championships 2026 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, on Saturday.
Top-seeded Anahat produced a dominant display in the final, overcoming second seed Salem 3-0 with scores of 11-3, 11-7, 11-9. Her victory not only secured the biggest title of her junior career but also ended Egypt’s prolonged dominance in the competition.
Historic Triumph for Indian Squash
With the title-winning performance, Anahat became the first Indian to capture the World Junior Squash Championship crown. She also surpassed India’s previous best finish at the tournament, improving on Joshna Chinappa’s runner-up result achieved in 2005.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Indian squash, highlighting Anahat’s steady rise on both the junior and senior circuits. Already ranked world No. 20 on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour, the teenager has established herself as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.
Dominant Run Throughout the Tournament
Anahat’s journey to the championship reflected her consistency and composure from the very first round. She lost only two games across six matches during the tournament, underlining her complete control against a strong international field.
She began her campaign with a convincing straight-games victory over Australia’s Lilly Wilson. The Indian star then comfortably defeated Hong Kong China’s Pui Yin Chloe Lo before overcoming Malaysia’s Doyce Ye San Lee, without dropping a game in any of those three matches, to secure her place in the quarter-finals.
Her performances during the opening rounds showcased her attacking game and ability to maintain control throughout each contest, setting the tone for a memorable title run.
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Conquering Egypt’s Strong Challenge
The toughest phase of the championship came during the knockout rounds, where Anahat faced three Egyptian opponents in succession. Egypt has traditionally been the dominant force in world junior squash, making her path to the title even more impressive.
In the quarter-finals, she defeated Habiba Rizk 3-1 to move into the last four. She then produced another composed display to beat Barb Sameh by the same 3-1 margin in the semi-finals.
Those victories earned her a place in the final against Ruqayya Salem, another highly rated Egyptian player. Anahat maintained complete control throughout the championship match, taking the opening game convincingly before holding off Salem’s challenge in the next two games to complete a straight-games victory and secure the world title.
Ending Egypt’s Long Reign
Anahat’s success also brought an end to Egypt’s remarkable 13-year winning streak in the girls’ singles event. Egyptian players had claimed every title since 2011, making the championship one of the country’s strongest strongholds in junior squash.
She became the first non-Egyptian player to win the girls’ singles title since Amanda Sobhy captured the championship in 2010. Her victory therefore represents a significant shift in the competition and highlights the growing strength of players from other squash-playing nations.
A Remarkable Rise in Just One Year
The historic triumph comes just a year after Anahat ended India’s 15-year medal drought at the World Junior Squash Championships. She won the bronze medal in Cairo in 2025, becoming the first Indian in over a decade to reach the podium at the event.
Building on that breakthrough performance, Anahat returned in 2026 as the tournament’s top seed and fulfilled expectations with a commanding title-winning campaign. Her steady progression from bronze medalist to world champion reflects her rapid development and consistency on the international stage.
The championship victory stands as one of the most significant achievements in Indian squash history. By becoming the country’s first World Junior Squash champion, Anahat Singh has created a new benchmark for future generations and added another memorable chapter to India’s growing success in the sport.
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