Seven Indians progress to next round at Junior World Sqaush
Niagara-on-the-Lake, July 21
India have kickstarted their campaign at the World Squash Junior Championships strongly with women's top seed Anahat Singh, who is hoping to become India's first-ever junior world champion, advancing into the next round after a straight-game 11-2, 11-1, 11-3 against Australia's Lilly Wilson.
Amidst the excitement of the opening day, India's Saanvi Kalanki was able to impress and book her place into the next round after enduring a five-game battle against the Netherlands' seed, Elcke Mols, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6.
Kalanki, who took the lead in the opener, 11-9, was forced into a back-and-forth battle, with Mols levelling the scoreline twice to force a fifth game. However, it proved that the Dutch player's efforts were for nothing, as Kalanki was able to claim the fifth 11-6.
Meanwhile, Anika Dubey registered a straight-game 11-7, 11-3, 11-5 victory over Anna Kuwahara of Japan and Rudra Singh received walkover by Khadija Abdulraheem of Nigeria.
In the men's section, the trio of Aryaveer Dewan, Yusha Nafees and Gurveer Singh, who received the first-round bye, advanced to the men's singles third round
Aryaveer registered a 12-10, 11-6, 11-9 win over Levi Visser of Germany. Yusha secured a convincing 11-1, 11-1, 11-1 victory over Brazil's Matheus Frabetti while, Gurveer beat Christian Dromgoole of Ireland 11-3, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6. However, Purav Rambhia lost to England's Ronnie Hickling.
Defending men's champion and No.1 seed Mohamad Zakaria started his run with a straight-game victory over Macau, China's Wu Cheok Io, as he aims to become the first men's player to win the title three times.
At World Squash Junior Championships 2026, the individual competition from July 20 to 25 will be followed by the men's and women's team events from July 26 to 31 at the same venue.
India's men's team heads into the competition after winning bronze in Cairo last year, ending a 13-year medal drought at the championships.
— IANS
Reader Comments
What a performance from Yusha Nafees! 11-1, 11-1, 11-1 is absolutely dominant. Our junior squash program is really producing results. Hope we can bring home multiple medals this time! 🇮🇳
Good to see so many Indians progressing. But we need to work on consistency - Purav Rambhia's loss shows there's still room for improvement. Still, seven players in the next round is impressive. Let's go team India!
The future of Indian squash looks bright! Anahat Singh has been a sensation, and now seeing the likes of Saanvi Kalanki and Anika Dubey step up is fantastic. This is how you build a sporting legacy - grassroots development paying off. 😊
Amazing to see our junior squash players making waves internationally. The bronze medal last year for the men's team was a big achievement. With Anahat leading the charge, I think we have a real shot at history this time. Keep it up, champs!
India's squash program has really come a long way. The depth in both boys and girls categories is impressive. Anahat and the boys winning so convincingly shows the quality of training back home. Wishing them all the best from Canada!
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