‘Rise of sporting prodigy’: Anand Mahindra hails Anahat Singh’s World Junior Squash win | Today’s news
Industrialist Anand Mahindra has felicitated squash sensation Anahat Singh after she scripted to become the first Indian woman to win the World Junior Squash Championship.
Anand Mahindra congratulated Anahat Singh in a post on X, hailing her as a “sporting prodigy” and saying her triumph was not just about winning the title.
“Sometimes you see victories that are bigger than the trophy. Sometimes you know you are witnessing the rise of a sporting miracle,” he wrote.
Mahindra congratulated the 18-year-old:
“Congratulations @Anahat_Singh13 on becoming World Junior Squash Champion.”
Emphasizing the significance of her victory over Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem, he wrote:
“You have overcome not only your opponent, but also the strength of the Egyptian squash ecosystem, the strongest in the world today, built over decades and responsible for producing champion after champion.”
Adding that Anahat’s success would inspire young Indians, Mahindra said, “These are the moments that tell every young Indian that the top is not reserved for someone else. It is there to be conquered.” He concluded, “We’ll be watching your journey closely…”
Anahat Singh is making history
Mahindra’s post came after Anahat Singh made history on Saturday by becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship.
In Canada, the 18-year-old beat Ruqayya Salem of Egypt in two games 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 to clinch the title.
Read also | Meet Anahat Singh, the Indian teenager who made history at the World Junior Squash Ch’ships
With the victory, Anahat surpassed even the best performance of an Indian in the tournament so far. Joshna Chinappa finished second in the 2005 World Junior Squash Championships.
“It Means The World”
Speaking after her historic triumph, an emotional Anahat reflected on finally winning the title after years of falling short.
“It means the world. I still feel like I’m dreaming,” she said.
The teenager revealed that the tournament was difficult for her for a long time.
“I’ve lost in the semifinals and quarterfinals the last four years. I always said if anyone asked, ‘This tournament is a curse,’ and I could never play well in this tournament.”
She also pointed out that this was her last opportunity to compete as a junior.
“This is my last year (as a junior) and my only chance to win it. It means the world.”
Explaining her progress in the final, she said:
“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.”
Read also | Anahat Singh: Meet the rising star of squash
Mahindra’s earlier praise
This is not the first time that Anand Mahindra has praised Anahat Singh.
Earlier this year, after she won her first PSA bronze title at the 2026 Squash On Fire Open in Washington, he wrote:
“Biggest title of her career so far. First time in world top 20. She’s only 17 years old. Keep cool @Anahat_Singh13. Many more titles to come with over a billion cheers every step of the way.”
Who is Anahat Singh?
Born on 13 March 2008 in New Delhi, Anahat Singh comes from a family with a strong sporting background. Her father Gursharan Singh and mother Tani Vadehra were field hockey players while her uncle played tennis.
Inspired by badminton star PV Sindhu, Anahat initially took up badminton before eventually switching to squash.
Read also | Anand Mahindra suggests a hidden Tamil gem amid reports of overcrowded hill stations
She made her international debut by winning the British Junior Open under-11 title in 2019, followed by the US Junior Open crown in 2021. In 2022, she won the Asian Junior Championship Under-15 along with the German and Dutch Junior Open titles.
At just 14, she became the youngest Indian athlete to compete in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
She was named Young Player of the Year and Challenger Player of the Year at the 2025 PSA Squash Tour Awards. Her achievements also include a squash World Cup gold medal, two Asian Championship gold medals and a World Junior Championship bronze medal, before now adding the coveted world junior title to her growing list of accolades.
