Asian Games: Anahat Singh, 18, squash history scripts, one win at LA Olympics

Anahat Singh is making a habit of turning dismal deficits into defining moments. Two months after becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship, the 18-year-old showed her nerve to claim the biggest win of her career so far, rallying from two games down to stun Japan’s world number six Satomi Watanabe and storm into the women’s singles final at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Saturday.

With a 9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3 win, she became the first women’s singles player from India to reach the final of the Asian Games.

Meanwhile, Abhay Singh (28) stormed into the men’s singles final after defeating Pakistan’s Muhammad Irfan. No Indian has won an Asian Games gold in men’s singles and Abhay has a chance to create history on Sunday. Gold would also earn him a ticket to the Los Angeles Olympics.

ANAHAT SAVES MATCH BALLS

Anahat, who lost to Watanabe in another five-game battle earlier this year, looked headed for another defeat as the home favorite took the opening two games. But the Indian refused to give in and saved two match points in the third game.

She clawed her way back into the match by overcoming a tense third game 12-10 before drawing level with an 11-6 win in the fourth game. Following the decision, the momentum shifted completely. Anahat took control of the rally and cruised to an 11-3 victory, completing a remarkable turnaround and earning a place in the Asian Games final.

The comeback after an unpleasant collision with Watanabe during the retrieve was all the more impressive. Anahat’s head hit the Japanese player in the shoulder, forcing a short break while she received medical attention. There were no signs of discomfort once play resumed. Instead, the teenager showed a composure that has become increasingly evident during a breakout year.

Anahat arrived in Nagoya as India’s brightest young squash prospect, but her world title in Canada in July has already taken her career to another level. She defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem 3-0 in the final to become the first Indian to win the prestigious junior world title. The triumph also ended Egypt’s long dominance at the tournament, which has not seen a non-Egyptian singles champion since 2010.

The title also had a personal meaning. Anahat has repeatedly come up short at the World Juniors, with quarter-final and semi-final exits in previous editions. Her victory came in her final year on the junior circuit and finally ended what she described as a “curse”.

She is now one victory away from the next milestone.

The Asian Games women’s singles champion will qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics where she will make her squash debut.

Anahat will face the winner of the second women’s singles semifinal between world No. 5 Subramaniam Sivasangari of Malaysia and Chan Sin Yuk of Hong Kong.

CHINNAPPA-VELAVAN WIN BRONZE

While Anahat advanced to the final, India also added a squash bronze through Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar in the mixed doubles. The Indian pair lost 2-1 to Hong Kong’s Tang Ming Hong and Lee Ka Yi in a hard-fought semi-final.

After losing the opening game 11-10, Joshna and Velavan fought back to win the second 11-2. But the Hong Kong pair held their nerve in another tight third game to win 11-10 to reach the final.

Nevertheless, the medal is another addition to Joshna’s remarkable career at the Asian Games. The 40-year-old has now won six medals at the continental event, adding two silvers and three bronzes.

But Anahat will now focus on the final – and one more victory that could take her from teenage prodigy to Olympic debutante.

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