Anahat Singh becomes youngest in 23 years to win Senior National Squash Championships

The prodigy from Sonipat clinched her maiden national title.

Teenage prodigy Anahat Singh defeated top ranked Tanvi Khanna to clinch her maiden Senior National Squash Championships 2023. With this win, Anahat Singh became the youngest in the last 23 years to clinch the singles crown at the national event. Tanvi Khanna won the first game 11-9, but Anahat bounced back to lead 6-4 in the second game. However, in a tragic turn of events, Tanvi fell down clutching her right knee and had to concede the match.

Anahat, who started playing squash at the age of seven, has been making waves in the junior circuit, winning several national and international titles. She is currently ranked No. 1 in the Under-17 category and No. 2 in the Under-19 category in India. She also holds the distinction of being the youngest member of the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year, where she won her opening-round match against Jada Ross of St Vincent and the Grenadines before losing to Wales’ Emily Whitlock, the then World No. 19.

The Indian was part of the squad that won the team bronze at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, this year, alongside Joshna Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal and Tanvi Khanna. She also bagged a bronze medal in the mixed doubles event partnering Abhay Singh.

“Anahat is a very gifted player, she has a natural flair and a good understanding of the game. She is also very hard-working and disciplined, and always eager to learn and improve. She has a bright future ahead of her, and I believe she can achieve great heights in squash,” Poncha said.

With her historic win at the Senior National Squash Championships 2023, Anahat has emulated Joshna Chinappa, who holds the record for being the youngest champion. Chinappa had lifted the first of her record 19 national titles at the age of 14 in 2000. Anahat, who idolises Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal, said that she hopes to follow in their footsteps and represent India at the highest level.

“My dream is to play for India at the Olympics and win a medal. I look up to Joshna and Dipika, they are my role models and inspirations. They have shown me the way and I want to make them proud,” Anahat iterated.

*We hereby acknowledge that a quote in this article was wrongly attributed to Anahat Singh as to Sportstar. The said quote has now been removed. We sincerely apologize for this inadvertent mistake.

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