Suraj Kumar Chand clinches India's maiden title at FISU World University Squash Championship

Suraj fought back from 0-2 down to strike gold for India

Indian squash player Suraj Kumar Chand won the men’s singles title at the 2026 FISU World University Squash Championship, defeating Hungary’s Benedek Takacs in a thrilling five-game final.

In the women’s singles event, Marta Dominguez Fernandez of Spain claimed the title with a dominant straight-games victory.

Suraj overcame Takacs 3-2 in a fiercely contested final. After the players were locked at two games apiece, the Indian star produced a commanding performance in the decider, winning it 11-4 to secure the gold medal in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

Suraj maintained his composure throughout the high-pressure encounter, delivering one of the most memorable performances of his career to win the championship on home soil.

The men’s final lived up to expectations as both players traded games in a closely fought contest. With the support of the packed crowd behind him, Suraj raised his level in the deciding game, sealing an 11-4 victory to complete a 3-2 triumph and spark jubilant celebrations.

The title marks a significant milestone for Indian university squash, with Suraj emerging as the men’s singles champion on home courts. Takacs settled for the silver medal, while also helping Hungary secure its first international squash medal in 20 years.

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In the women’s final, Spain’s Marta Dominguez Fernandez delivered a commanding performance to defeat Hong Kong’s Ching Hei Fung 3-0 and capture the women’s singles gold medal. The victory was particularly emotional for Marta as it came on her father’s birthday.

Suraj booked his place in the final by defeating France’s Joshua Jacques-Phinera in the semifinals. Marta, meanwhile, remained in outstanding form throughout the tournament, carrying her consistency into the final to clinch the title in convincing fashion.

Reflecting on his triumph, Suraj said:

“Benedek is an exceptional player, and I knew it would be a tough final. This is one of the most memorable matches of my career. Winning on home courts, with so much support behind me, is a dream come true. I’m grateful to everyone who believed in me and supported me throughout this journey.”

The singles competition marked another successful chapter of the 2026 FISU World University Squash Championship, which brought together student-athletes from 14 countries over four days of competition.

The tournament was jointly organised by Somaiya Vidyavihar University, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI).

The championship highlighted the continued growth of university squash while providing student-athletes from around the world with an opportunity to compete at the highest level.

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