At just 17, Anahat Singh has emerged as one of the brightest young faces in Indian squash. Already a dominant force in the Asian junior circuit, the Delhi-based player added another feather to her cap last month by winning gold in women’s singles at the Asian Junior Championships. But if there was one glaring gap in her growing résumé, it was a medal at the world level—until now.
At the World Junior Squash Championships 2025 in Cairo, Anahat clinched bronze, ending India’s 15-year wait for a medal at the event since Dipika Pallikal's podium finish in 2010.
It’s a special one,” “I was ranked No. 2 this time and was expected to reach the final, but I knew that from the quarterfinals onwards, the matches were going to be really tough. At the end of it, though, I’m happy with how I played, even though the semifinal wasn’t my best performance.”
Anahat’s journey to the top four was commanding. She won her first three matches in straight games, barely breaking a sweat. In the quarterfinal, she overcame Egyptian local favourite Malika Elkarasky 11-6, 13-11, 11-5 to set up a semifinal showdown with another Egyptian, Nadien Elhammamy.
I’ve played Nadien multiple times, and it’s always close. But this time I lost in straight games — 6-11, 12-14, 10-12. The scores were tight, and I know I could’ve done better.
A Familiar Mentor at Courtside
Travelling with the squad in Cairo was Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, a former India international now transitioning into a full-time coaching role. Sandhu, who was also her teammate during the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 Asian Games, believes her potential is exceptional.
At such a young age, she’s the lone Indian on the podium alongside the Egyptians. That takes a lot of courage and shows the level she is capable of playing at.
Eyes on LA 2028
With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, Anahat’s long-term goal has begun to take shape. But the road is far from easy. Only the top 20 ranked players in the world are likely to qualify for the men’s and women’s singles events—and Anahat is currently ranked No. 54 in the senior women’s category.
Winning world-level tournaments and Asian Games medals is definitely among the top priorities, but an Olympic medal is every athlete’s dream,” she said. “It’s really tough even to qualify because very few players will make it. I’ll have to train a lot over the next few years.”
The Road Ahead
Anahat will be 20 by the time the LA Olympics arrive, a point she hopes will coincide with her peak.
“Hopefully, my game will improve a lot more by then,” she said. “Right now, the focus is on building, learning, and staying consistent.”
Her next challenge is the Bega Open in Australia, starting August 13 — a chance to sharpen her game, gain ranking points, and stay on course for the dream she now dares to speak of.
