Anahat Singh
{{short description|Indian professional squash player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox squash player
| name = Anahat Singh
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| full_name =
| nickname =
| country = {{IND}}
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2008|3|13}}
| birth_place = Delhi, India
| residence =
| education = The British School, New Delhi
| height = 165 cm
| weight = 45 kg
| turnedpro = 2023
| retired =
| plays = Right-handed
| racquet = Dunlop
| coach = {{ubl
|}}
| event = Women's singles
| highest_ranking = 60 (April 2025)
| date_of_highest_ranking =
| current_ranking = [https://www.psasquashtour.com/player/anahat-singh/ 60] (April 2025)
| date_of_current_ranking =
| WorldOpenresult =
| titles = 21
| finals = 22
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Women's squash}} 30px
{{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|Asian Games}}
{{MedalBronze|2022 Hangzhou|Women's team}}
{{MedalBronze|2022 Hangzhou|Mixed doubles}}
{{MedalCompetition|Asian Championships}}
{{MedalBronze|2022 Cheongju|Women's team}}
{{MedalBronze|2023 Hangzhou|Mixed doubles}}
{{Medal|Competition|Asian Junior Championships}}
{{Medal|Gold|2022 Na Chom Thian|Girls' individual}}
{{Medal|Gold|2023 Dalian|Girls' individual}}
{{Medal|TBA|2025 Gimcheon|Girls' individual}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2019 Macau|Girls' individual}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2023 Chennai|Girls' team}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2025 Hong Kong|Girls' team}}
| psa_id = anahat-singh
| updated = 31 March 2025
}}
Anahat Singh (born 13 March 2008){{Cite web |title=Anahat Singh {{!}} Overview |url=https://www.psasquashtour.com/player/anahat-singh/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=PSA Squash Tour |language=en-GB}} is an Indian squash player and a member of the national team.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-26 |title=Squash: How Anahat Singh is focussing on the long-game as she takes up the senior circuit challenge |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/squash-anahat-singh-long-game-indian-open-senior-circuit-9907935/lite/ |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} She's an Asian Games and Asian Championships 2x bronze medalist.{{Cite web |title=On winning run, Anahat underlines promise once again |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/on-winning-run-anahat-underlines-promise-once-again-101743182980208.html |website=Hindustan Times}} Singh is ranked 60th in the world, as of April 2025.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Kanika |date=2024-01-10 |title=Once a Badminton Enthusiast, 15-Year-Old Anahat Singh is Now a Squash Prodigy |url=https://www.thequint.com/sports/once-a-badminton-enthusiast-15-year-old-anahat-singh-is-now-a-squash-prodigy |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=TheQuint |language=en}} She has won 21 tour titles and is an Asian Junior Championships gold medalist.
Early life
Singh was born in Delhi on 13 March 2008 to Tani Vadehra and Gursharan Singh. While her mother is an interior designer, her father is a lawyer. Both her parents used to play field hockey.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=Who is Anahat Singh – How a PV Sindhu fan became India's squash sensation |url= https://olympics.com/en/news/who-is-anahat-singh-india-women-squash-player|access-date=2023-09-29 |website=olympic.com |language=en}} Her uncle used to play tennis.{{Cite news |date=2025-04-24 |title=India's youngest Asiad medallist, now only woman at World Championships: The making of Anahat Singh |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/indias-youngest-asiad-medallist-now-only-woman-at-world-championships-the-making-of-anahat-singh/articleshow/120580684.cms |access-date=2025-04-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} Inspired by P. V. Sindhu, a five year old Singh started playing badminton.{{Cite news |title=Junior British Open Champ Anahat Singh hopes to be India's squash face in LA '28 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/junior-british-open-champ-anahat-singh-hopes-to-be-indias-squash-face-in-la-28/articleshow/117135790.cms |access-date=2025-01-13 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} She watched her and dreamt of winning Olympic medals.
She used to accompany her sister Amira who played squash. After playing a few squash tournaments where she performed well, she grew fond of it and switched to the sport.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-28 |title=CWG 2022: Meet Anahat Singh, the 14-year-old squash player making her India debut at CWG |url=https://www.espn.in/commonwealth-games/story/_/id/34306565/cwg-2022-anahat-singh-14-year-old-squash-player-india-debut |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=ESPN |language=en}}
Career
=Early beginnings (2019–2022)=
Singh first rose to prominence after winning the U11 title at the British Junior Open in 2019.{{Cite web |title=Five nations share British Junior Open honours on thrilling finals day – Professional Squash Association |url=https://psaworldtour.com/news/view/6053/five-nations-share-british-junior-open-honours-on-thrilling-finals-day |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=psaworldtour.com|date=7 January 2019 }} This was followed by the European Junior Open, the Dutch Junior Open and the Scottish Junior Open titles the same year.{{Cite web |last=stevecubbins |date=2019-07-14 |title=Dutch Junior Open : Finals Day |url=https://thesquashsite.com/dutch-junior-open-2019 |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=SquashSite – all about Squash |language=en-GB}} In 2021, she won the US Junior Open title by defeating Jayda Marei from Egypt. The next year, she won the German Junior Open, the Dutch Junior Open and the U15 title at the Asian Junior Championships.{{Cite web |title=Asian Junior Squash: India's Anahat Singh wins U-15 title |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/asian-junior-squash-indias-anahat-singh-wins-u-15-title |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}} At the age of 14, she became the youngest to represent India at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.{{Cite web |last=Nag |first=Utathya |title=Who is Anahat Singh – How a PV Sindhu fan became India's squash sensation |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/who-is-anahat-singh-india-women-squash-player |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=Olympics}}
=Asian Junior champion & Asian Games medalist (2023)=
Singh started off her year by winning the 2023 edition of the British Junior Open in the U15 category after beating Egypt's Sohaila Hazem.{{Cite web |last=Cubbins |first=Steve |date=2023-01-08 |title=2023 Day Five – FINALS Day |url=https://britishjunioropen.com/2023-day-five/ |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=British Junior Open |language=en-GB}} In August, she won the U17 title at the Asian Junior Championships held in Dalian, China.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-20 |title=Anahat Singh wins gold in Asian Junior Squash Championships |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/squash/anahat-singh-wins-gold-asian-junior-squash-championships-china-under17-category/article67216079.ece |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Sportstar |language=en}} She then won two bronze at the 2022 Asian Games in both the mixed doubles category with Abhay Singh and in the women's team event.{{Cite web |last=Palshikar |first=Prathamesh |date=5 October 2023 |title=Asian Games 2023 squash: India win two gold medals in Hangzhou - results, scores and medal winners |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/asian-games-2023-hangzhou-squash-india-results-scores |access-date=3 January 2024 |website=Olympics}} Singh became the senior national champion in November after Tanvi Khanna retired in the finals due to an injury.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-23 |title=Senior National Squash C'ships: 15-year-old teenage sensation Anahat Singh becomes youngest title winner in 23 years |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/senior-national-squash-c-ships-15-year-old-teenage-sensation-anahat-singh-becomes-youngest-title-winner-in-23-years-101700740767385.html |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} She is the youngest national champion and the youngest Indian to win a medal at the Asian Games.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-15 |title=Target Olympics 2028: Squash sensation Anahat Singh reveals Los Angeles dreams |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/olympics-2028-squash-sensation-anahat-singh-reveals-los-angeles-dreams-2515446-2024-03-15 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=India Today |language=en}} Singh ended the year on a high by winning the U19 title at the Scottish Junior Open by defeating home player Robyn McAlpine 11-6, 11-1, 11-5.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-31 |title=Anahat Singh Wins U-19 Girls' Title at Scottish Junior Open Squash |url=https://www.news18.com/sports/anahat-singh-wins-u-19-girls-title-at-scottish-junior-open-squash-8723562.html |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=News18 |language=en}}
=9 tour titles, breaking into top 90 (2024)=
In January, Singh finished as a runner-up in Girls U17 category at the British Junior Open after a loss to Nadien Elhammamy.{{Cite web |last=Sportstar |first=Team |date=2024-01-07 |title=British Junior Open 2024: Anahat Singh loses to Elhammamy in final, settles with silver; Aryaveer Dewan bags bronze |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/squash/anahat-singh-loses-nadien-elhammamy-wins-silver-british-junior-open-u-17-girls-singles-result-report-news/article67716496.ece |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Sportstar |language=en}} In the same month, she won her first PSA Tour title at the JSW Willingdon LMS Tournament after defeating Japan's Erisa Sano Herring 11-4, 11-3, 11-7.{{Cite web |last=Banks |first=Jonty |date=2024-01-17 |title=Anahat & Abhay Singh capture titles at JSW Willingdon Little Masters & Senior Tournament |url=https://www.psaworldtour.com/challenger-tour/anahat-abhay-singh-capture-titles-at-jsw-willingdon-little-masters-senior-tournament/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=PSA World Tour |language=en-GB}} This was followed by a win at the Hamdard Squashters Northern Slam in April where she defeated Korean Hwayeong Eum 11-6, 11-4, 11-5.{{Cite web |last=Nag |first=Utathya |date=27 April 2024 |title=Anahat Singh wins singles title at Hamdard Squashters Northern Slam 2024 |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/hamdard-squashsters-northern-slam-2024-india-results-anahat-singh-suraj |access-date=17 June 2024 |website=Olympics}} Her third title came in June at the HCL Squash Tour Chennai on defeating compatriot Rathika Seelan 11-5, 11-3, 11-3.{{Cite web |last=Nag |first=Utathya |date=8 June 2024 |title=HCL Squash Tour Chennai 2024: Anahat Singh wins third PSA title on the trot |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/hcl-squash-tour-chennai-2024-anahat-singh-women-singles-winner-results |access-date=17 June 2024 |website=Olympics}} She the final of the Dynam Cup SQ-Cube Open but gave her opponent Ruqayya Salem from Egypt a walkover due an injury. Singh proceeded to win the PSA Challenge 3 against Sri Lankan Chanithma Sinaly scoring 11-0, 11-1, 11-4 in the final.
Her fifth title was HCL Squash Tour Kolkata where she defeated Filipino Jemyca Aribado 11-5, 11-3, 11-7. Then, she won Costa North Coast Open by defeating Akari Midorikawa from Japan by 11-6, 11-6, 11-7. Next, she won the NSW Open against Hong Kong's Helen Tang with a score of 8-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-4. The Sunil Verma Memorial saw her defeating fellow Indian Shameena Riaz 11-4, 11-3, 11-1. Singh's last title of the year was the Western India Slam where she defeated India's #1 and her higher ranked fellow Akanksha Salunkhe 11-8, 11-8, 11-8. Thus, in 2024, she won nine tour titles, becoming the first woman to do so in a single year since Nicol David back in 2010. She had 38 wins out of 40 matches, 31 of them with a dominant 3–0 scoreline. She was featured in PSA Squash Tour's list of players to watch out for.{{Cite web |last=Sheen |first=Connor |date=2024-12-29 |title=Ones to Watch in 2025 |url=https://www.psasquashtour.com/news/ones-to-watch-in-2025/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=PSA Squash Tour |language=en-GB}} Singh also broke into the top 100 and jumped 51 total spots to reach her highest world ranking of 82.{{Cite web |title=Anahat Singh aspires to be the face of India's Olympic squash dreams at LA 2028 |url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/anahat-singh-india-squash-la-2028-olympics-hopes |website=Olympics}}
=Maiden WSC (2025–)=
Singh started off the year by winning British Junior Open again at the 2025 edition.{{Cite web |last1=PTI |last2=ThePrint |date=2025-01-06 |title=Anahat Singh lifts British Junior Open title |url=https://theprint.in/sport/anahat-singh-lifts-british-junior-open-title/2434032/?amp |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}} She defeated Egyptian Malika Elkaraksy with a score of 4-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3. This was her third title at the tournament.{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2025-01-07 |title=India's Squash Star Anahat Singh Wins British Junior Open Under-17 Title |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/others/india-squash-star-anahat-singh-wins-british-junior-open-under-17-title-beats-egypt-malika-el-karaksy-match-report |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Outlook India |language=en}} At the 2025 Asian Junior Team Championships, she won every match without losing a single set.{{Cite web|date=2025-02-15 |title=Asian Junior Team C'ships: India falls short in semi-final despite Anahat's victory |url=https://thebridge.in/squash/asian-junior-team-cships-anahat-india-loses-semi-final-52087 |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=The Bridge - Home of Indian Sports |language=en}} Since her fellow members lost their matches, the team settled for a bronze.{{Cite web |title=Asian Junior Team Squash Championships 2025: India return with two bronze medals |url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/asian-junior-team-squash-championships-2025-india-bronze-medal-report |website=Olympics}}
In March, she won the SRFI Indian Tour 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5 against compatriot Akanksha Salunkhe in the final.{{Cite web |last=Venkatesan |first=S. Prasanna |date=2025-03-21 |title=SRFI Indian Tour Squash Championship: Anahat, Chotrani clinch women's and men's finals |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/squash/srfi-indian-tour-squash-championship-anahat-singh-veer-chotrani-win-women-men-finals-psa-titles/article69358301.ece/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=sportstar.thehindu.com |language=en}} In the same month, she won the Indian Open with a dominant 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 win against Helen Tang of Hong Kong.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-28 |title=17-year-old Anahat Singh beats Helen Tang to clinch Indian Open squash women's title |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/anahat-singh-beats-helen-tang-to-clinch-indian-open-squash-womens-title-2700852-2025-03-28 |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=India Today |language=en}} Winning back-to-back challenger 15 titles placed her at 62 in world rankings, a career high for her.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-29 |title=Teenager Anahat Singh leads Indian squash's hope for Olympic glory |url=https://www.espn.in/espn/story/_/id/44455381/teenager-anahat-singh-leads-indian-squash-hope-olympic-glory |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=ESPN |language=en}} During the WSC Asia qualifier, she defeated Hong Kong's Toby Tse 11-4, 9-11, 11-2, 11-8 to qualify for her first World Squash Championships.{{Cite web |last=Sportstar |first=Team |date=2025-04-20 |title=Veer, Anahat qualify for Squash World Championships |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/squash/anahat-singh-veer-chotrani-qualify-squash-world-championships-2025/article69470718.ece/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=sportstar.thehindu.com |language=en}} She is the youngest Indian to contest the WSC.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-21 |title=Anahat Singh Makes History As The Youngest Indian To Qualify For World Championships |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/anahat-singh-makes-history-youngest-indian-to-qualify-for-world-championships-article-151460734/amp |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=Times Now |language=en}}
Coaching history
At the start of her career, Singh was coached by Amjad Khan and Ashraf Hussein, followed by Ritwick Bhattacharya.{{Cite news |title=Squash prodigy Anahat Singh becomes No. 1 in Europe, Asia and India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/squash-prodigy-anahat-singh-becomes-no-1-in-europe-asia-and-india/articleshow/73615808.cms |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} Since a couple of years, she is coached by both Stéphane Galifi and Grégory Gaultier.{{Cite web |last=Venkatesan |first=S. Prasanna |date=2023-11-21 |title=Anahat Singh 'looks like a shrimp, but moves like a lion', says her coach Stephane Galifi |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/squash/anahat-singhs-coach-stephane-galifi-talks-about-india-squash-prodigys-future/article67559270.ece/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=sportstar.thehindu.com |language=en}} Indian squash icon Saurav Ghosal is her mentor and helps her decide which tournaments to play.{{Cite news |last=Keerthivasan |first=K. |date=2024-11-07 |title=Playing for experience is over, now is the time to win |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/playing-for-experience-is-over-now-is-the-time-to-win/article68842701.ece/ |access-date=2024-11-09 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
Years
!Coach !Ref(s) |
---|
|{{flagicon|IND}} Amjad Khan |
|{{flagicon|IND}} Ashraf Hussein |
2019–2022
|{{flagicon|IND}} Ritwick Bhattacharya |
2020
|{{flagicon|IND}} Dharmender Wenwal |
2023–present
|{{flagicon|ITA}} Stéphane Galifi |
2023–present
|{{flagicon|FRA}} Grégory Gaultier |
2024–present
|{{flagicon|IND}} Saurav Ghosal |
Titles and finals
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ ! Year ! Tournament ! Opponent ! Result ! Score ! Ref(s) |
rowspan=4|2019
| {{flagicon|MAS}} Whitney Wilson | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (1) | 3–1 (13-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9) |
European Junior Open
| {{flagicon|USA}} Avery Park | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (2) | 3–0 (11-7, 11-3, 11-4) |
Dutch Junior Open
| {{flagicon|FRA}} Lauren Baltayan | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (3) | 3–2 (11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8) |
Scottish Junior Open
| {{flagicon|MAS}} Keertty Haridharan | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (4) | 3–0 (11-1, 11-1, 11-1) |
2020
| {{flagicon|EGY}} Amina Orfi | bgcolor="ffa07a"|Loss (1) | 0–3 (11-0, 11-1, 11-4) |
2021
| {{flagicon|EGY}} Jayda Marei | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (5) | 3–1 (11-9 11-5 8-11 11-5) |
rowspan=2|2022
| German Junior Open | {{flagicon|EGY}} Malak Samir | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (6) | 3–0 (11-1, 11-4, 11-5) |
Dutch Junior Open
| {{flagicon|EGY}} Malak Samir | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (7) | 3–0 (11-4 11-7 11-2) |
rowspan=2|2023
| {{flagicon|EGY}} Sohaila Hazem | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (8) | 3–1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5) |
Scottish Junior Open
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Robyn McAlpine | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (9) | 3–0 (11-6, 11-1, 11-5) |
rowspan=11|2024
| {{flagicon|EGY}} Nadien Elhammamy | bgcolor="ffa07a"|Loss (2) | 2–3 (7-11, 13-11, 12-10, 5-11, 11-9) |
JSW Willingdon LMS
| {{flagicon|JPN}} Erisa Sano Herring | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (10) | 3–0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-7) |
Hamdard Squashters Northern Slam
| {{flagicon|KOR}} Hwayeong Eum | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (11) | 3–0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-5) |
HCL Squash Tour Chennai
| {{flagicon|IND}} Rathika Seelan | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (12) | 3–0 (11-5, 11-3, 11-3) |
Dynam Cup SQ-Cube Open
| {{flagicon|EGY}} Ruqayya Salem | bgcolor="DCDCDC"|W/O | N/A |
Reliance PSA Challenge 3
| {{flagicon|SRI}} Chanithma Sinaly | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (13) | 3–0 (11-0, 11-1, 11-4) |
HCL Squash Tour Kolkata
| {{flagicon|PHI}} Jemyca Aribado | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (14) | 3–0 (11-5, 11-3, 11-7) |
Costa North Coast Open
| {{flagicon|JPN}} Akari Midorikawa | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (15) | 3–0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-7) |
NSW Open
| {{flagicon|HKG}} Helen Tang | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (16) | 3–1 (8-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-4) |
Sunil Verma Memorial
| {{flagicon|IND}} Shameena Riaz | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (17) | 3–0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-1) |
Western India Slam
| {{flagicon|IND}} Akanksha Salunkhe | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (18) | 3–0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-8) |
rowspan=3|2025
| {{flagicon|EGY}} Malika Elkaraksy | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (19) | 3–2 (4-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3) |
SRFI Indian Tour
| {{flagicon|IND}} Akanksha Salunkhe | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (20) | 3–1 (11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5) |
JSW Indian Open
| {{flagicon|HKG}} Helen Tang | bgcolor="99FB98"|Win (21) | 3–0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-8) |
Awards and nominations
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |
Year
! Award ! Category ! Result ! Ref |
---|
rowspan=2|2023
|rowspan=2|Times of India Sports Awards |Special Recognition in Squash |{{won}} |
Emerging Sportsperson of the Year
|{{nom}} |
rowspan=3|2024
|rowspan=2|PSA Awards |Challenger Player of January |{{won}} | |
Challenger Player of August
|{{won}} |
Indian Sports Honours
|Sportswoman of the Year |{{nom}} | |
rowspan=2|2025
|Squash Player of the Year Female |{{won}} |
PSA Awards
|Challenger Player of January |{{won}} |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{PSA|new_id=anahat-singh}}
- {{Squash Info|15462}}
- {{Instagram}}
Category:Sportswomen from Delhi
Category:Racket sportspeople from Delhi
Category:Indian female squash players
Category:Asian Games medalists in squash
Category:Asian Games bronze medalists for India
Category:Squash players at the 2022 Asian Games
Category:Medalists at the 2022 Asian Games
Category:Commonwealth Games competitors for India
Category:Squash players at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
Category:21st-century Indian women
{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Anahat}}