Anahat Singh’s historic triumph at the 2026 World Junior Squash Championships has not only etched her name in the Indian squash history as the first-ever junior squash champion, but her spectacular win has also drawn heartfelt tributes from the country’s biggest sporting icons.
From Olympic medallist PV Sindhu to Indian squash legends Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa, the celebrations have been a reflection of how significant the 18-year-old’s breakthrough is for the sport.
PV Sindhu congratulated Anahat on her social media account, stating: “I couldn’t be prouder of this young champion, Anahat Singh, on winning the World Junior Squash Championships.”
Additionally, Sindhu also mentioned one of her favourite memories with the teenager, recollecting: “This goes back to 2022 when I had the opportunity to speak with her through the Olympic Gold Quest programme (OGQ). Even at that age, what stood out wasn’t just her extraordinary talent, but also the remarkable maturity, composure, and clarity with which she carried herself. It left a lasting impression on me.”
By calling the world junior title only the beginning, Sindhu has expressed her confidence and belief in Anahat and established that many bigger victories still await the young squash sensation.
The former world No. 10 squash player Saurav Ghosal, also congratulated Anahat via his social media handle He referred to her as India’s first-ever world junior champion and praised not only just the performance everyone witnessed on the day of the final, but the relentless work that came long before it.
Ghosal wrote: “The world will see what you produced on the day. You know I don’t say it often, but it was good! You finally put it all together when it mattered the most. But the real fight was won when you stepped on court. The work you put in made the difference. All the hammering and making fun to get your brain cells working finally paid off. The body stayed healthy enough for long enough. A lot to be thankful for.”
The squash veteran called this win another milestone rather than the final destination, adding that Anahat has done something special for Indian squash and she still has the potential to achieve much bigger things.
“You’ve made yourself proud and done something special for Indian squash. The best thing is there is hope of so much more to come. Let this be another milestone on the journey to something much bigger. But for now, enjoy yourself. Well done.”
Next, the veteran Indian squash star, Joshna Chinappa, who was the last Indian woman to reach the World Junior Championships final back in 2005 posted a heartfelt congratulatory message on social media, stating: “Congratulations, Annie.”
Joshna’s record was broken 21 years later by Anahat in the 2026 edition by qualifying for the finals of the championships.
Speaking to the World Squash Official after lifting the trophy, Anahat admitted that becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Championships felt surreal.
The prodigy stated: “Of course, just hearing this feels unreal. I knew coming into the event that I had a chance of making that happen, and everyone was just like, ‘You have to put in your 100 percent so you can make history’. I fought as hard as I could and I’m glad that I was able to push through it,” she said.
Anahat also admitted that the World Junior Championships had never gone her way despite competing over the past four years.
She said: “It’s the biggest event a junior can play in. I’ve been playing for the last four years and it’s not gone my way. I knew coming into this event that it was my last year and I just had to give it my 100 per cent, and I’m really glad that it all worked out.”
While reflecting on what the achievement could mean for Indian squash, she said: “I think it’s huge for Indian squash just to see someone play at this stage. Hopefully a few people are able to watch my matches and just see the other players playing the event as well, I think we gain a lot more recognition. India is a huge country, so I think if it reaches the right audience, it can really blow up as a sport. I’m really glad to see that it’s really growing, and I’m excited to see what Indian squash can do in the next few years.”
Anahat’s triumph is more than just a personal milestone. This could mark the beginning of a new era in Indian squash.
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