Indian squash has witnessed a remarkable week of triumphs, showcasing the talent and dedication of its rising stars.
Veer Chotrani, Anahat Singh, and Ramit Tandon have each made significant strides on the international stage, bringing pride to the nation.
Veer Chotrani, a young prodigy from Mumbai, clinched the prestigious White Oaks Cup.
Veer relocated to the USA in 2019 to further his squash career and academics at Cornell University, where he trains under former world champion David Palmer. The 23-year-old Indian squash player, seeded eighth in the PSA Challenger Tour event, dominated fifth seed Salah Eltorgman with a 3-0 (11-6, 11-2, 11-9) victory, marking his second title of the 2024-25 squash season.
This win in Niagara is Veer’s fifth PSA title. Last year, he captured three PSA titles in the United States, including his first win at the QuantiFi LifeTime MetroWest, followed by victories at the PVD Squash RI Open and the Greenwich Open.
This year, he successfully defended his title at MetroWest.
Reflecting on his achievement, Veer expressed his joy, saying, “Super happy to win my 5th and biggest PSA title to date. Want to thank all my team and family for the continuous support”.
In addition to his PSA titles, Veer, who is the son of two-time national squash champion Manish Chotrani, also won the Asian Individual Juniors title in 2019.
His success is a promising sign for the future of Indian squash.
Anahat Singh, the 16-year-old sensation from Delhi, continued her winning streak by securing the NSW Open title.
Anahat, who needs no introduction, has quickly risen through the ranks.
This victory marks her seventh PSA Challenger title in 2024.
Earlier this month, Anahat broke into the top 100 rankings after a series of impressive wins at the JSW Willingdon LMS, Hamdard Squashters Northern Slam, HCL Squash Tour Chennai, Reliance PSA Challenge 3, HCL Squash Tour Kolkata, and the Costa North Coast Open.
In the finals of the NSW Open, Anahat faced a tough challenge from Hong Kong’s Helen Tang.
After losing the first game, she made a remarkable comeback to win the match 3-1 (8-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-4).
Anahat shared her excitement, saying, “Playing for experience is over, now is the time to win”. Her ability to juggle her academic and athletic commitments, with strong support from her parents, has made her an inspiration for young athletes.
Ramit Tandon, a seasoned professional from Kolkata, reached the quarter-finals of the Ace Malaysia Squash Open.
Ramit, who completed his education at Columbia University, has been a consistent performer on the PSA tour. Ramit is also a bronze medalist at the Asian Games and has won gold and silver medals at the Asian Team Championships.
In the upcoming quarter-finals, Ramit faces a significant challenge as he goes up against Youssef Soliman, the top seed in the tournament.
His dedication and strategic pre-tournament training in the UK and Egypt have paid off, as he continues to climb the world rankings.
This week of victories highlights the growing prominence of Indian squash on the global stage. The achievements of Veer, Anahat, and Ramit are not just individual successes but will also inspire a new generation of players to take up the sport and aim for international glory.
Written By Avineet
