03.25 Pm IST live updated/ Indiaprime Sports Desk Delhi . A Historic Milestone for Indian Squash Anahat Singh has etched her name in sports history by becoming the first Indian player to win the World Squash Junior Championship title . Representing India at the 2026 edition of the tournament held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, the 18-year-old prodigy delivered a masterclass performance. In the highly anticipated girls’ singles final, she defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem with a commanding 3-0 scoreline (11-3, 11-7, 11-9), closing out her final year on the junior circuit in spectacular fashion.
Breaking Egypt’s 15-Year Reign
This victory carries immense weight as Anahat successfully shattered Egypt’s 15-year-long stranglehold on the girls’ junior world title, a dominant streak that had remained unbroken since 2011. Entering the tournament as the top seed and world number 20, Anahat faced intense pressure but maintained complete composure. To reach the podium, she had to overcome a formidable Egyptian gauntlet, defeating Habiba Rizk 3-1 in the quarter-finals and Barb Sameh 3-1 in the semi-finals, before sweeping Salem in the final match.
This victory carries immense weight as Anahat successfully shattered Egypt’s 15-year-long stranglehold on the girls’ junior world title, a dominant streak that had remained unbroken since 2011. Entering the tournament as the top seed and world number 20, Anahat faced intense pressure but maintained complete composure. To reach the podium, she had to overcome a formidable Egyptian gauntlet, defeating Habiba Rizk 3-1 in the quarter-finals and Barb Sameh 3-1 in the semi-finals, before sweeping Salem in the final match.
Ending a 21-Year National Wait
Anahat’s triumph also ends a 21-year wait for Indian squash, surpassing the previous best national performance set by Joshna Chinappa, who finished as the runner-up back in 2005. Her flawless campaign has drawn widespread praise across the nation, earning official congratulations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. This victory firmly establishes Anahat as the face of the next generation of Indian squash as the sport builds momentum toward its Olympic debut
Anahat’s triumph also ends a 21-year wait for Indian squash, surpassing the previous best national performance set by Joshna Chinappa, who finished as the runner-up back in 2005. Her flawless campaign has drawn widespread praise across the nation, earning official congratulations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. This victory firmly establishes Anahat as the face of the next generation of Indian squash as the sport builds momentum toward its Olympic debut
Para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar securing India’s first medal in Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026
Indian para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar scripted history at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 by lifting a phenomenal 190 kg in the men’s heavyweight category, securing India’s very first medal (Bronze) of the tournament.
The 28-year-old athlete from Nalanda, Bihar, overcame immense personal hardships, including childhood polio and financial distress that once forced him to sell vegetables and drive an e-rickshaw to support his training. Following his podium finish, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh for Kumar, while fellow Indian lifter Sudhir finished sixth in the same event.
In other major updates from Glasgow 2026, Tokyo Olympics medalist boxer Lovlina Borgohain advanced directly to the semifinals via a quarterfinal bye, guaranteeing another medal for the Indian contingent. Over in Lawn Bowls, India’s Putul Sonowal pulled off a massive upset in the men’s singles by defeating reigning world champion Ryan Bester of Canada. With major sports like wrestling, badminton, and hockey excluded from this scaled-down 10-sport edition, a compact 126-member Indian delegation is competing this year.
