‘It means the world’: Anahat Singh’s first reaction after winning the World Junior Squash Championship

Sourav Ghosal and Anahat Singh (Image credit: NEW DELHI: India No.1 Anahat Singh on Saturday created history by becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship. The 18-year-old defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 in the women’s final in Ontario on Saturday.“It means the world. I still feel like I’m dreaming,” Anahat said after winning the title. “I have lost in the semi-finals and quarter-finals for the last four years. I always said if anyone asked, ‘This tournament is a curse’ and I could never play well in this tournament,” said the Delhi player.Anahat said winning the title in her last junior appearance made the achievement even more special.“It’s my last year (as a junior) and my only chance to win it.

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It means the world,” added Anahat.She also revealed that before the final she was focused on staying relaxed and enjoying the occasion.“I knew that when I’m stressed, I play terribly, so I just went out on the court and hit the lines well… I wanted to enjoy every moment of playing in the World Cup final,” she said.

“A historic moment for Indian squash”

Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) general secretary Cyrus Poncha described Anahat’s victory as a milestone for the sport in the country.“It is a historic moment for Indian squash. Anahat has the potential to reach great heights,” Poncha said.He also recalled the vision of late SRFI patron N. Ramachandran.“(Late) Mr N Ramachandran, patron of SRFI and visionary of the Indian Squash Academy, always said that his dream was for India to produce world champions in individual events,” Poncha continued.“We achieved that in doubles, but to repeat that success in singles, it’s really a dream come true. Anahat obviously put in a lot of hard work and effort, but we’ve got the whole nation behind her and her success over the last few years.”