Anahat Singh Says Being A World Champ Still Feels Unreal

ONTARIO – After becoming India’s first World Junior squash champion, Anahat Singh said the achievement still feels unreal and that winning the title in her final year on the junior circuit made it especially meaningful.

A former quarterfinalist and semifinalist at the tournament, Anahat became the first Indian to reach the World Junior Championships final since Joshna Chinappa in 2005 before going on to win the title.

“I still feel like I’m dreaming,” Anahat said after her victory. “I’ve been losing in the semis and quarters over the last four years. I’ve always said, if anyone’s asked, ‘This tournament’s a curse,’ and I’ve never been able to play well in the event.”

“This is my last year (as a junior) and my only chance to win it. It means the world. So, I knew if I’m stressed, I play terribly, so I just came out on court and hit my lines well… I wanted to enjoy every moment of getting to play in a world championship final,” she added.

The world No. 20 defeated Egypt’s second-seeded Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in the women’s final to secure the historic title, improving on last year’s semifinal finish.

Cyrus Poncha, secretary-general of the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), hailed Anahat’s victory as a historic milestone for Indian squash.

“It’s a historic moment for Indian squash. Anahat has the potential to reach great heights,” Poncha said.

He added that the late N. Ramachandran, patron of the Squash Rackets Federation of India and the visionary behind the Indian Squash Academy, had always said it was his dream for India to produce an individual world champion. (IANS)