Teen Prodigy Anahat Singh Clinches U17 British Open Squash Title

India’s 16-year-old squash sensation, Anahat Singh, emerged victorious in the U17 category at the British Open Juniors, overcoming a challenging draw to claim her first title in this age group. Her journey included defeating three formidable Egyptian players, known for their dominance in squash.

Anahat’s win at Birmingham University’s glass courts comes 22 years after Joshna Chinappa made history by winning the same title for India. With squash set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, this marks Anahat’s third British Open title, following victories in the U11 and U15 categories. It was a sweet comeback after narrowly losing last year’s final.

“I’m feeling really happy. It’s my third time winning this. I lost last year in three close games, so I’m glad I could win this time before moving to a higher category,” she told the British Open website.

A Hard-Fought Victory

Entering the tournament as the top seed, Anahat lived up to expectations, navigating a field of talented Egyptian players. In the final, she defeated Egypt’s Malika Elkaraksy in a thrilling 3-2 match (4-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3), showcasing resilience and fighting spirit. The victory was especially significant after her loss to Egypt’s Nadien Elhammamy in last year’s U17 final.

Anahat began her campaign with a straight-sets win over unseeded French player Sarah Guyot, followed by victories against England’s Fearney Copley and the USA’s Reghan McLaughlin. She faced tougher challenges in the quarterfinals, defeating Egypt’s Nadia Tamer 3-0, and in the semifinals, where she staged a comeback to overcome Ruqayya Salem 3-1.

A Promising Journey

The Birmingham courts hold sentimental value for Anahat, as she first gained international recognition there as India’s youngest athlete at the Commonwealth Games. Her British Open triumphs in the U11 (2019) and U15 (2023) categories have paved the way for her current success.

Reflecting on the final, Anahat admitted, “I don’t think I played my best squash, but by the fifth game, I understood what I needed to do. This year was crucial in the U17 age group, and I’m thrilled to have won. I love this place and will return next year to aim for a fourth title.”

From Badminton to Squash

Anahat’s transition from badminton to squash is a unique story. Her mother, Tani Vadehra, revealed, “Anahat loved badminton, but she didn’t want to be left alone while we traveled for her sister Amira’s tournaments. That’s when she switched to squash.”

Anahat herself was drawn to the sport for simple reasons: “I loved the noise of the ball hitting the wall,” she told olympics.com.

Looking Ahead

Winning the U17 title is a significant milestone, but Anahat’s next big challenge lies in the U19 category. With the Los Angeles Olympics approaching in 2028, Anahat, who will then be 20, is steadily building a career trajectory that positions her as a contender for future World Junior and Olympic titles.