Indian squash prodigy Amarya Bajaj clinches Dutch Junior Open U-13 title
Amsterdam, July 6
India's rising squash star Amarya Bajaj delivered a sensational performance to capture the Dutch Junior Open 2026 Under-13 Boys' title, overcoming a series of world-class opponents, including Daniel Stevenson of England, 3-1 in the final.
The young Indian showcased remarkable composure, skill, and mental strength as he defeated players from the world's leading squash nations on his path to the championship, according to a press release.
Amarya began his campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over an Egyptian opponent in the opening round before overcoming a strong challenge from England's Arlo Smith (3-0) in the second round. In the pre-quarterfinals, he stunned the No. 1 Kaelen Low of Singapore 3-0, followed by another impressive win over an Egyptian Badr Hassan, 3-1, in the quarterfinals.
His toughest challenge came in the semifinals, where he blanked the European No. 1, Alex Kosztyu from Hungary in a high-quality contest to book his place in the final. There, Amarya produced another exceptional performance to defeat the top-seeded English player, sealing the prestigious Dutch Junior Open title.
He defeated Daniel Stevenson of England 3-1 to clinch the title.
The triumph comes just weeks after Amarya won the silver medal at the 2026 Asian Junior Championships in China, further cementing his position as one of India's brightest young squash prospects. With two Asian Junior medals already to his name at just 13 years of age and now a major European title, Amarya continues to establish himself on the international junior squash circuit.
His Dutch Junior Open victory is not only a personal milestone but also a significant achievement for Indian squash, highlighting the emergence of a new generation of talent capable of competing with--and defeating--the world's best junior players.
As Amarya continues his rapid rise on the international stage, Indian squash fans will be watching with great anticipation as one of the country's most promising young athletes continues to make his mark globally.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So proud of this young lad. Beating an Egyptian, Singaporean, Hungarian, and English players back-to-back shows he's got what it takes to be a future world champion. The Sports Ministry should invest more in squash academies!
Mark my words—this kid is going to bring home an Olympic medal someday. And a silver at Asian Juniors just weeks before this? Insane consistency. Kudos to his coaches and family! 🙌
While this is amazing, I hope we don't overhype him too soon. Many junior champions fade away due to lack of systemic support. The real test is transitioning to senior level—hope our federation plans accordingly.
Fantastic! Beating the No. 1 seed from Singapore 3-0 is no joke. Singapore has a strong junior program. This shows Indian squash is finally getting the recognition it deserves. 👏
From a Canadian perspective, it's great to see such talent emerging from India. The way he dispatched European top seeds is seriously impressive. Future star for sure!
At 13! My kid is still struggling with homework, and this boy is conquering Europe's junior squash circuit. Unreal dedication
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