Anahat Singh Becomes First Indian Female Squash Player To Reach Women’s Singles Asian Games Final
Anahat Singh, 18, has become the first Indian female squash player to reach the Women's Singles final at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, today, September 26. She achieved this milestone with a stunning 3-2 comeback victory over Japan's World No. 6 Satomi Watanabe, guaranteeing India a silver medal and vying for an LA28 Olympic qualification spot.
Teenage prodigy Anahat Singh has etched her name in Indian sports history, becoming the first Indian female squash player to reach the Women's Singles final at the Asian Games. The 18-year-old staged an incredible fightback on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Nagoya Kinjo-Futo Arena, overcoming local favourite and World No. 6 Satomi Watanabe of Japan in a thrilling semi-final clash.
Anahat Singh Creates History
HISTORY MADE! 🇮🇳
Asian Games 2026 | Squash
Women’s Singles – Semifinal
Anahat Singh (TOPS Development) (WR-17) defeated Satomi Watanabe (WR-6) of Japan in a thrilling 3–2 victory to book her place in the Final.
Game Scores: 9–11, 11–13, 12–10, 11–6, 11–3
With this victory,… pic.twitter.com/cBNwNPcqOy
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) September 26, 2026
Anahat's monumental 3-2 victory (9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3) not only guarantees India at least a silver medal in the event but also puts her in contention for a direct qualification spot for the LA28 Olympic Games, where squash is set to make its debut.
Dramatic Semi-Final Showdown
The Delhi-born star faced an uphill battle from the outset, losing the first two games 9-11 and 11-13 as Watanabe showcased her experience and tactical prowess. However, Anahat, known for her resilience and attacking play, refused to concede. She mounted a stunning comeback in the third game, saving multiple game balls from an 8-10 deficit to clinch it 12-10, injecting new life into the contest.
With momentum firmly on her side, Anahat dominated the fourth game, winning 11-6 to level the match at two games all. The decider saw the young Indian continue her relentless assault, giving Watanabe no quarter and sealing the game 11-3 to complete one of the most memorable comebacks of the tournament.
Earlier in the tournament, Anahat had advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating compatriot Tanvi Khanna 3-0 (11-2, 11-5, 11-3) in a dominant performance on Friday.
Anahat Singh's Rise to Prominence
Born on March 13, 2008, Anahat Singh, at just 18 years old, has been on a meteoric rise in the world of squash. She secured the World Junior Squash Championship title earlier in 2026, making her the first Indian to achieve this feat. Her current world ranking stands at No. 20 as of September 2026, having reached a career-high of No. 18 in February 2026.
Anahat will now prepare for the Women's Singles final, scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026. Her opponent will be determined by the outcome of the other semi-final between Malaysia's defending champion Sivasangari Subramaniam and Hong Kong, China's Sin Yuk Chan.
Anahat Singh's historic entry into the Asian Games final marks a significant milestone for Indian squash, highlighting the growing talent and potential within the sport in the country. Her journey continues, with the nation eagerly watching as she aims for gold. The winner of the singles event will also secure a crucial spot at the LA28 Olympics, subject to meeting the qualification criteria.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2026 12:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
