Staying focused and strong do the trick for Anahat
Anahat Singh secured a historic victory in the junior squash circuit by defeating Ruqayya Salem to win a major title. This win marks the first time an Indian player has claimed this championship, ending a long-standing streak of Egyptian dominance.
Why it matters
This victory represents a significant milestone for Indian squash on the international stage, highlighting the emergence of new talent in a sport historically dominated by Egypt.
On Saturday, in her final year as a junior, she buried it. Anahat won in straight games in the final against Ruqayya Salem, ended Egypt’s run of 13 straight titles, and secured a first for Indian squash.
“The score says 3-0, but it was definitely not comfortable. In a final, every single point feels like it’s the last,” she told The Hindu, in a virtual interaction facilitated by JSW Sports, on Monday.
Anahat felt she had a real shot at the title after the first two games — until things got tight in the third game.
She caught herself just in time, before the ghosts stirred again.
In the end, she lost just two games in the entire tournament and showed why she was the top seed and India’s No. 1 ranked player.
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