Squash prodigy Anahat Singh becomes No. 1 in Europe, Asia and India

NEW DELHI: Marking a golden chapter in the history of Indian squash, teen prodigy Anahat Singh has become the No. 1 ranked player across Europe, Asia and India in the girls' under-13 category. Anahat's achievement is probably a first for Indian squash where a junior player has managed to hold the top ranking in three different regions at the same time.
As per the rankings published recently by the European Squash, Asian Squash and Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) for the January month, the 11-year-old Delhi sensation has topped the charts, riding on her brilliant showing at the British Junior Open in Birmingham earlier this month, where she claimed a silver medal in the GU-13 category after losing the final to Egyptian top seed Amina Orfi.
"It wasn't easy to become No. 1 in Europe as there were so many tournaments and, being in India, I wouldn't have played all of them. I had to work hard to win superseries titles and do well at the British Open to get to the top of the ranking chart. It's a special feeling and I don't have enough words to express it. I love to win for the country. In fact, when I had won the British Open title last year in the girls' under-11 category, I couldn't believe it for a long time," Anahat told TOI.
"I am now focusing at trials for the Asian Juniors. Last year, I had won the bronze at the championship. If I managed to break into the squad, I'll give my all to secure the gold," added Anahat, a student of the British School, Chanakyapuri.
Anahat has been mentored by former national-level squash players Amjad Khan and Ashraf Hussein at the Saket Sports Complex. She trains alongside her elder sister Amira Singh, who is an under-17 player at the national level.
The teen sensation admitted it's been a challenge to balance both squash and studies, but she has managed to strike a balance. "With school studies and regular attendance, I must admit that it wasn't easy to become the No. 1, especially in Europe. But, I took it up as a challenge and continued to give my 100 percent. I am happy with the way I have been performing in tournaments."
Anahat's trophy cabinet is decorated with two European superseries titles, gold each at the European Junior Squash Open and DPD Dutch Junior Open held in July 2019. In December last, she won the Scottish Junior Open and reached the finals to clinch the silver at the British Junior Open. Anahat has so far won 40 national circuit titles, including being a two-time national champion. She has a bronze at the Asian Juniors and a silver in Malaysian Junior Open 2018.