25 July,2025 11:01 PM IST | New Cairo | mid-day online correspondent
Anahat Singh (File pic)
Anahat Singh,17, clinched a bronze medal at the World Junior Squash Championships, ending the nation's 15-year-long wait for an individual podium finish at the prestigious event.
The teenager, seeded second in the women's singles draw, advanced to the semi-finals before going down to Egypt's Nadien Elhammamy in straight games 3-0 (11-6, 14-12, 12-10) at the Black Ball Sporting Club in Cairo. Despite the loss, Anahat secured a bronze medal, becoming the first Indian since Dipika Pallikal in 2010 to win an individual medal at the World Juniors.
In the quarterfinals, Anahat delivered a commanding performance against another Egyptian opponent, Malika Elkaraksy, winning 3-0 (11-6, 13-11, 11-5) to confirm her place on the podium.
"I had lost in the quarters for three years in a row, and I'm really glad I was able to reach the semi-finals this time," Anahat said after her quarterfinal win as quoted by Olympics.com.
Ranked 54th in the world, Anahat was the only Indian among the eight semi-finalists across both men's and women's draws. She was also the lone seeded Indian in the women's singles competition and lived up to her billing with a spirited campaign.
The reigning Asian U19 girls' champion, Anahat has been a rising force in the squash circuit. Earlier this year, she claimed senior Asian titles in both women's and mixed doubles and made her senior World Championship debut in Chicago. She also boasts multiple PSA Challenger Tour titles and was part of the Indian squad that secured two team bronze medals at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Her latest success adds to a growing legacy of Indian squash on the junior stage. However, a gold medal at the World Juniors still eludes India. The country's best finishes remain Joshna Chinappa's silver in 2005 and Dipika Pallikal's bronze in 2010.
The ongoing World Junior Championships feature 234 players from across the globe. The individual events run until July 26, followed by the team competitions, which continue until August 1. India has fielded a 12-member squad, six boys and six girls, across both formats.
Looking ahead, Anahat will be one of the key figures for India as squash gears up for its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles Games in 2028. With her current trajectory, she remains a strong medal hopeful for the nation on the biggest sporting stage.
