India’s Anahat Singh created history by becoming the country’s first World Junior Squash champion after defeating Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem in the girls’ singles final of the World Squash Junior Championships 2026 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, on Saturday.Top seed Anahat defeated second seed Salem 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-9) to claim the title and end Egypt’s long run in the tournament.The 18-year-old’s win was India’s best result at the junior world championships, one step better than Joshna Chinappa, who finished runner-up in 2005.Anahat was in control of the entire tournament. He dropped just two sets in six matches on his way to the title and won his opening three matches without losing a game.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
The world no. 20 on the senior PSA Tour began her campaign with a 3-0 win over Australia’s Lilly Wilson. She then beat Pui Yin Chloe Lo of Hong Kong China and Doyce Ye San Lee of Malaysia to reach the quarter-finals.From there, Anahat defeated three consecutive Egyptian opponents. She defeated Habiba Rizk 3-1 (11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9) in the quarter-finals, followed it up with a 3-1 (11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6) victory over Barb Sameh in the semi-finals, and then defeated Salem in the finals.Her win also ended Egypt’s dominance in the girls’ singles event. Egyptian players have won the title in 13 consecutive editions since 2011.Anahat also became the first non-Egyptian player to win the World Junior Squash Championships girls’ singles title since Amanda Sobhy in 2010.Last year, Anahat ended India’s 15-year wait for an individual medal at the junior world championship by winning bronze in Cairo. This year, he went one step further by becoming India’s first junior world champion.