Anahat Singh dreams big for 2024

India squash player Anahat Singh. PIC/Shwete Landge

Teen squash player Anahat Singh, 15, had a great 2023. She managed to clinch a gold in U-15 girls' category at British Junior Open Squash, a gold in the U-17 girls at the Asian Junior Squash Championships, two bronze medals (women's team event and mixed doubles event) at the 2023 Asian Games, among other laurels. Now, Delhi-based Anahat wants to break into the Top 50 in the PSA world rankings. Also, Anahat's dream of winning an Olympic medal is a possibility after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the inclusion of squash at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. "My aim is to work towards getting a medal at the Olympics, Asian Games and the next Commonwealth Games. Also, I want to play more in the senior category. Playing important tournaments at the senior level against experienced [seniors/players] will be beneficial to me. My main goal for the next few years is to break into the Top 50 and then in the Top 10 and hopefully become a world champion someday," Anahat, who is currently ranked 130 in the world, told mid-day.com.

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Anahat, who in 2023 became the second-youngest national champion after Joshna Chinappa (became national champ in 2000 when she was 14), explained how she does not believe in getting stuck on a win for long. "I do not want to think about what I have already achieved. Normally, if I win tournaments, I feel happy and proud of myself for a few days. But I do not like to be stuck on a win for a really long time. You need to work towards your next goal rather than being stuck up on one achievement. In that way, you are able to work for the next tournament/s," she remarked.

Meanwhile, though badminton was Anahat's first love and PV Sindhu her idol, her aim now is to make it big in squash. "I started playing badminton and did well. But there wasn't really one specific reason for me to switch from badminton to squash. Since it was really easier for my parents [Gursharan and Tani] to travel for tournaments as my elder [Amira] used to play squash and still does. So, I think I love both sports [badminton and squash]. Currently, I am doing well in squash and I wouldn't trade anything for that," said Anahat, who met Sindhu at the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. "We didn't get to interact much then, but I am glad I could meet her. I would love to talk to her and interact with her properly soon," added Anahat, who trains under French coach Stephane Galifi.

Also Read: India's Anahat clinches gold in Asian Jr Squash

Besides sports, the teen athlete loves drawing and painting and hopes to become an architect. "I have so much fun when I paint and draw, which I do in my spare time. My main goal after squash is to become an architect. It's one of my dreams. I don't really get time to do much because of squash, but it's my passion and I hope to get good at it as well," she signed off.