Anahat Singh reaches World Junior Squash semis, becomes 1st Indian woman in 15 years to do so

India’s Anahat Singh has scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman in 15 years to reach the semi-finals of the World Squash Junior Championships, currently underway at the Black Ball Sporting Club in Cairo. 

The 17-year-old, seeded No 2, defeated Egypt’s highly-rated 14-year-old Malika Elkaraksy (seeded 5/8) in the quarter-finals on a thrilling day that saw host nation Egypt dominate the tournament.

As per the official statement, Singh’s performance marks a major milestone for Indian squash, as she becomes the first Indian woman since Dipika Pallikal in 2010 to enter the semi-finals of the prestigious event. Pallikal had secured a bronze medal in Cologne that year.

Anahat went into the match as the favourite, having already beaten Elkaraksy in the final of the British Junior Open earlier this year. Despite that, she maintained her focus, especially after witnessing a major upset in the men’s draw the previous evening, where No 2 seed JooYoung Na was knocked out in the Round of 16.

The World Squash Junior Championships, held from July 21–26, bring together the top global squash talent under the age of 19. The individual competitions are followed by the team championships starting from July 27.

Singh’s remarkable run not only boosts India’s presence on the global squash stage but also inspires a new generation of young athletes back home.