"Inspiration for every young Indian": Rajnath Singh hails Anahat Singh on historic World Squash Junior Championships triumph
New Delhi, July 26
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday hailed Anahat Singh's historic World Squash Junior Championships triumph, saying her landmark title showcases India's rising stature in global sports and will inspire the next generation of athletes.
Singh scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win the World Squash Junior Championships title, defeating Egypt's Ruqayya Salem 3-0 in the girls' singles final on Saturday.
"A proud moment for Indian sport! Heartiest congratulations to Anahat Singh on becoming the first Indian to win the girls' singles title at the World Squash Junior Championships 2026," Singh wrote in an X post.
"Your historic achievement is an inspiration for every young Indian and a testament to India's growing sporting excellence. Wishing you continued success and many more laurels for the nation," he added.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also praised Singh for scripting history as the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship, describing her victory as a proud moment for the country and an inspiration for aspiring athletes.
"History created! Heartiest congratulations to @Anahat_Singh13 on becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship. Your determination & excellence have made the nation proud and inspired countless young athletes. Wishing you continued success," Sarma wrote in an X post.
Top seed and India's No. 1 player Anahat Singh defeated second seed Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 to script history, becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships title.
In doing so, she eclipsed Joshna Chinappa's runner-up finish in 2005, which had stood as India's best-ever performance at the event for more than two decades.
— ANI
Reader Comments
What a proud moment for Indian squash! 🏆 Finally, we have a world champion after Joshna Chinappa's runner-up finish years ago. But I hope the government and sports authorities provide Anahat with the best facilities to maintain this momentum. We shouldn't let talent fade due to lack of support!
Incredible performance! Anahat's 3-0 scoreline shows her dominance. It's great to see politicians like Rajnath Singh and Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledging her achievement. But let's not just celebrate—we need more grassroots programmes for squash in India. Other sports like badminton and shooting have grown; now it's squash's turn!
Well done, Anahat! She has made the entire nation proud. However, I hope this isn't just a one-day wonder. Indian sports federations need to capitalise on such victories and create a pipeline for future champions. Let's not forget that Joshna Chinappa's achievement in 2005 didn't lead to sustained investment in squash. Time to change that! 🙌
Feeling so proud today! 🇮🇳 Anahat Singh has shown that Indian athletes can excel in any sport if given the right training and opportunities. It's inspiring to see a young girl from our country achieving such a big milestone. Wishing her many more championships and a bright future ahead! ✨
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