NEW DELHI: “It feels unreal. I feel like I’m dreaming. I still feel like I’m dreaming.” That’s how Anahat Singh described the moment when the Indian flag went up after he became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship.He carried the same disbelief during the virtual media interaction facilitated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Monday, not wanting to let the opportunity grow into something bigger than it already is.Asked how she balances the expectations that are now piling up around her, Anahat gets straight to the point that her parents trained her before the trophies started.“You don’t have to think too much about what other people expect from you,” he said. “Just going to play and focus on the amount of training I’ve done and my game rather than everything behind it.”The tournament he just won gave it some teeth. This is the 18-year-old’s last shot at the junior title after failing to knock-out in previous editions. “I was very close to making it to the finals, and I was leading, and I lost after leading,” he admitted. “To be able to manage this tournament well, and make sure the same mistake doesn’t happen again, is something I’m happy about.”
Is he worried about the Egyptian storyline?
The established narrative of the tournament is hard to ignore. The Delhi teenager became the first non-Egyptian to win the title in 16 years. He also defeated three Egyptian players in a row on his way to the final.However, this is the only storyline he is not interested in playing. “Egypt or any other nationality, match is still a match,” he admitted with a smile on his face. “I don’t want to think too much about statistics or history, because sometimes that can hurt you.“I knew coming into this tournament that this was my last opportunity to win it,” he said. “I don’t think I would have played this freely if it hadn’t been my last year.”
The motivation that comes from the court
Whether he’s trailing or cruising a match, he always looks in the glass. “I have a habit of looking out of the court a lot, naturally or unnaturally, this is what I have always done since I was a child,” he revealed.But what is he looking for? “When I watch, it’s always my parents or my coaches. They always push me and just say, ‘Keep going, keep going.’ I think especially when there is a lot of pressure in events like this, it makes a big difference in getting more confidence. “
Anahat Singh with mentor Saurav Ghosal
Apart from the parents, there are two names in his support system. Gregory Gaultier, the former world no. 1, and: Saurav GhosalIndia’s own squash pioneer, both of whom Anahat credits with sharpening his consistency over the years.
What’s next for Anahat?
Anahat, who comes from a sporting family that always believes that sport is as important as academicshas graduated school and is set to start college this year, but a packed competition schedule leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics has prompted him to take a gap year.Before that, however, the Asian Games later this year are even bigger. A gold medal there offers direct qualification for squash’s Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028.“The Asian Games alone is a big deal, whether the Olympics is part of the picture or not. But the fact that there are Olympics, I’ll just say it’s an added bonus, and I’ll just give it my 100%,” he said, while also stressing that the direct qualification route does not increase the pressure.“There are many other ways to enter the Olympics as well. So, in that way, there is less pressure,” he said.Speaking of the Olympics, Anahat can take a leaf from his idol and two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhuthis book. Although he admitted that he had never met the shuttler in person, the veteran who he idolized long before switching to squash from badminton himself praised his victory in Canada.“I have been going and watching his matches since I was almost four years old,” said Anahat, who is set to return to Delhi for training next month. “I’m very happy that I got his attention … Not everyone gets this opportunity to play on the stages of the world game.”ALSO READ: Anahat Singh. What’s in a name? A word from Guru Nanak’s prayer, now the gourd sensation in India