Delhi teenager Anahat Singh created history by becoming India's first-ever women's World Junior Squash champion after defeating Egypt's Ruqaiyya Salem in the final of the World Junior Championships in Canada. The 18-year-old secured the title with an impressive 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 victory, ending Egypt's dominance in the tournament. Her triumph also marked the first time since 2011 that a player from outside Egypt won the prestigious junior world crown.

Anahat's victory came after years of near misses at the World Junior Championships. Competing in the tournament for the fifth and final time, she finally overcame what she had previously described as a "curse" after falling short in earlier editions. Her previous appearances had produced four quarterfinal finishes and a bronze medal, making this year's success a fitting culmination of years of perseverance and steady progress on the international stage.

A key figure in Anahat's title-winning campaign was her coach, former World Champion Gregory Gaultier of France. Gaultier, who famously lost four World Championship finals before winning the title on his fifth attempt, helped guide the young Indian through the pressure of competing in her final junior championship. His experience of overcoming repeated setbacks proved invaluable as Anahat prepared for the biggest match of her junior career.

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Known for her attacking style of play, Anahat combined aggressive shot-making with composure throughout the tournament. In the final against Ruqaiyya Salem, she dominated the opening game before maintaining control in the following two games to secure a straight-games victory. The result not only earned her the world title but also ended more than a decade of Egyptian dominance in the girls' competition.

The Delhi-born player comes from a family outside the sporting world, with her father working as a lawyer and her mother as an interior designer. Despite that background, Anahat has established herself as one of India's brightest squash talents through consistent performances at junior international events. Her latest achievement is regarded as one of the most significant milestones in Indian squash history.

Anahat's victory is expected to inspire a new generation of Indian squash players and further strengthen the country's presence on the global stage. By becoming India's first women's World Junior champion and breaking Egypt's long-standing grip on the title, the teenager has added another landmark achievement to Indian sport while signalling a bright future as she prepares to transition into the senior circuit.

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