The 16-year-old squash prodigy won the prestigious title for the third time as its under-16 champion, defeating Egypt's Malika El Karaksy

Anahat Singh, a teenager from Delhi, has drawn media attention after she won the prestigious British Junior Open for the third time this week as its under-16 champion, that too without playing at her best, according to the player. The youngest Indian to win a medal at the Asian Games and also to represent the Commonwealth Games, the teenage squash prodigy won the U-17 British Junior Open squash title, defeating Egypt’s Malika El Karaksy in a fierce final match held at Birmingham University’s Glass Court in the UK.

Born to Vadehra, an interior designer, and Gursharan Singh, a lawyer—both used to play hockey—the 16-year-old Anahat began playing badminton when she turned 6 after getting inspired by PV Sindhu.

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Anahat discovered her passion when she accompanied her sister to play squash and performed exceptionally well, leading her to switch to the sport. At the beginning, she got training from Amjad Khan and Ashraf Hussein.

In 2019, Anahat grabbed attention after she won the U11 title at the British Junior Open. In 2021, she won the US Junior Open title. With her unbeatable performance, Anahat secured the U17 British Junior Open title for the second time in 2023. She finished as a runner-up in the Girls U17 category at the British Junior Open after her defeat to Nadien Elhammamy.

However, hitting a hat trick, Anahat, still 16 years old, won the Under 17 title for another time in the British Junior Open Squash tournament after securing the title for the third time this week. The squash prodigy expressed her gratitude to her coach, Stephane Galifi, noting that just having him there gave her the confidence. “If anything goes wrong, he’s there to help me out,” Hindustan Times quoted Anahat.

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Currently 82 in the PSA world rankings, Anahat is India’s rising squash star.

As squash is slated to debut as an optional sport item at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, for the first time, Anahat’s third British Open title would have a positive influence in shaping her career trajectory and for India’s ranking in the sport.