30-07-2025
First Time In 13 Years! Indian Men's Squash Team Reaches World Junior Championship Semifinal
India's men's squash team reached the 2025 World Junior Squash Championships semifinals by defeating South Korea 2-1. Anahat Singh won bronze in women's singles.
India's squash contingent continues to impress on the global stage, with the men's team advancing to the semifinals of the 2025 World Junior Squash Championships in New Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday.
The Indian squad edged past South Korea 2-1 in a closely contested quarterfinal, with standout performances from Yusha Nafees and Arihant K S guiding the team to victory.
INDIAN MEN'S TEAM REACHED TO THE SEMIS OF JUNIOR WORLD CH'SHIPS AFTER 13 YEARSIndian Men's Team defeated South Korea🇰🇷 2-1 to confirm place in the Semis.
Yusha Nafees🇮🇳 defeated Jeong Uk Ryu🇰🇷 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-9)
Sandhesh P R lost to Joo Young Na 0-3 (4-11, 4-11, 4-11)…
— SPORTS ARENA🇮🇳 (@SportsArena1234) July 30, 2025
Quarterfinal Results:
Yusha Nafees def. Jeong Uk Ryu 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-9)
Sandhesh P R lost to Joo Young Na 0-3 (4-11, 4-11, 4-11)
Arihant K S def. Jonghyeok Lee 3-1 (11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 11-7)
This win marks only the third time India has reached the semifinals of the Junior World Championships, with previous appearances coming in 2008 and 2012.
The team will now take on the United States in the semifinal clash.
India also celebrated individual success as 17-year-old Anahat Singh secured a bronze medal in the women's singles category at the same event, ending the country's 15-year wait for an individual podium finish at the under-19 level.
Anahat, seeded second in the draw, fell to Egypt's Nadien Elhammamy in the semifinals, losing 3-0 (11-6, 14-12, 12-10) at the Black Ball Sporting Club.
In the quarterfinals, Anahat overcame Egypt's Malika Elkaraksy with a commanding 3-0 victory (11-6, 13-11, 11-5), ensuring herself a place in the final four and a guaranteed bronze.
Among the eight semifinalists, seven were from Egypt, with Anahat the sole Indian representative.
Currently ranked 54th in the senior world rankings and recently crowned U19 Asian girls' champion, Anahat was the only seeded Indian in the women's draw. Her achievement made her the first Indian to win a medal at the World Junior Squash Championships since Dipika Pallikal's bronze in 2010.
No Indian player has yet claimed gold at the tournament, though Joshna Chinappa came close with a runner-up finish in 2005.
The 2025 Junior World Championships feature a total of 234 players. The individual events ran from July 21 to 26, with team competitions continuing until August 1.
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