Anahat’s big title win puts LA Olympics in focus, India beams with pride

India’s sporting narrative continues to widen beyond cricket, with 17-year-old Anahat Singh emerging as one of the most exciting prospects on the global squash circuit.

On Sunday, the teenager reached a major milestone by winning her maiden PSA Bronze-level title at the Squash on Fire Open in Washington. The breakthrough victory earned praise from JSW Sports founder Parth Jindal, who said India should keep a close watch on the young squash star ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where squash will make its Olympic debut.

“While India remains consumed by cricket — from the WPL to preparations for the T20 World Cup — a silent revolution is unfolding across other sports, and one of its flag bearers is 17-year-old squash prodigy Anahat Singh,” Jindal said, hailing her title win. He added that Anahat, already inside the world’s top 30, is one to watch as squash enters the Olympic programme.

In the final, Anahat delivered a commanding performance to defeat top seed and world No. 10 Georgina Kennedy of England 12-10, 11-5, 11-7 in just 26 minutes, clinching her first PSA Tour title. Ranked world No. 31 entering the tournament, the Indian displayed maturity and composure well beyond her years against a higher-ranked opponent.

The title caps a strong run for Anahat, who was part of the Indian team that recently secured a historic Squash World Cup title. A reigning national champion and World Junior Squash Championships bronze medallist, she has established herself as a consistent presence on the international circuit.

Her performances this season have also been recognised with two PSA honours — the Women’s Challenger Player of the Season award and a share of the Women’s Young Player of the Season title — underlining her rapid rise. In the men’s final, Mohamed ElShorbagy beat England’s Declan James 11-4, 11-6, 11-8 to lift his 52nd PSA Tour title.

For India, however, the focus remained firmly on Anahat, whose maiden PSA Bronze triumph marks another significant step in a career gathering pace, with the LA Olympics now firmly on the horizon.