India’s Anahat Singh created history by becoming the country’s first world junior squash champion after defeating Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem in the girls’ final of the 2026 World Junior Squash Championship in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada on Saturday.Top seed Anahat beat second seed Salem 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-9) to claim the title and end Egypt’s long run in the tournament.The 18-year-old’s win is India’s best result at the world junior championships, going one step further than Joshna Chinappa, who finished runner-up in 2005.Anahat was in control throughout the tournament. She dropped just two sets in six games on her way to the title and won her opening three matches without dropping a game.
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The world number 20 in the senior PSA Tour started her campaign with a 3-0 victory over Australia’s Lilly Wilson. She then defeated Hong Kong China Pui Yin Chloe Lo and Malaysia Doyce Ye San Lee to reach the quarterfinals.From there, Anahat overcame three Egyptian opponents in a row. She beat Habiba Rizk 3-1 (11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9) in the quarterfinals, followed with a 3-1 (11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6) win over Barb Sameh in the semifinals, and then lost in the semifinals.Her victory also ended Egypt’s dominance in the girls’ singles event. Egyptian players have won the title for 13 consecutive editions since 2011.Anahat also became the first non-Egyptian player to win the World Junior Squash Championships singles title since Amanda Sobhy in 2010.Last year, Anahat ended India’s 15-year wait for an individual medal at the world junior championships by winning bronze in Cairo. This year, he took it a step further by becoming India’s first junior world champion.