Anahat Singh Becomes India’s First World Junior Squash Champion: Full List of Her Achievements So Far

In a landmark moment for Indian squash, 18-year-old Anahat Singh from New Delhi claimed the women’s singles title at the 2026 World Squash Junior Championships in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.

The top seed defeated Egypt’s second seed Ruqayya Salem in the final to become the first Indian ever to win the prestigious under-19 world crown.

Anahat Singh Top Performances

This triumph completes a remarkable progression for Singh. She had earned bronze at the 2025 World Junior Championships in Cairo, ending India’s 15-year individual medal drought at the event.

In 2026, she went one better, reaching the final as the first Indian since Joshna Chinappa in 2005 and converting the opportunity into gold. Her path included a hard-fought four-game semi-final victory over Egypt’s Barb Sameh (11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6).

Born on 13 March 2008, Singh has risen rapidly. She turned professional in 2023 and quickly collected multiple PSA Challenger titles. In early 2026 she became the youngest Asian player ever to enter the PSA world top 20 after winning her first bronze-level title. Ranked around world No. 19-20, she has already amassed more than a dozen professional titles.

Anahat Singh Medal Haul

Her international medal haul is equally impressive. At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, she secured two bronzes-in the team event and mixed doubles. In 2025 she contributed to India’s historic first Squash World Cup gold in Chennai and won Asian Championship golds in women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

At junior level, she has dominated Asian Junior Championships with multiple gold and bronze medals across singles and team events. Singh’s game combines sharp retrieval, precise length, and mental resilience.

Coached by figures including former world No. 1 Grégory Gaultier, she has balanced junior success with senior breakthroughs while still completing her education.

The 2026 World Junior title stands as the centrepiece of her young career so far. At just 18, she has already rewritten Indian squash history and positioned herself as a leading contender for future senior major titles and the sport’s Olympic debut in 2028.