Amid Egypt’s continuing dominance, India has emerged as one of the most compelling challengers, led by the composed brilliance of Anahat Singh and the growing resilience of Aryaveer Dewan.
The 100th edition of the British Junior Open (BJO) in Birmingham has reaffirmed its reputation as the most definitive proving ground in world junior squash. Celebrating a century since its inception in 1926, the Platinum-category event has once again drawn the sport’s elite junior talent from over 60 nations.
For Indian squash, the centenary edition carries added significance. Success at the BJO has historically been a reliable indicator of future elite performance, with former champions including Nick Matthew, Ramy Ashour, and Nicol David. Against that backdrop, Anahat Singh’s march through the Girls Under-19 draw represents not just another junior campaign, but a continuation of a rare and sustained rise that bridges junior excellence and senior professionalism.
Top-seeded in the GU19 category, Singh entered the tournament chasing a fourth British Junior Open title across age groups an achievement few players globally have managed. Her quarter-final victory over Egypt’s Barb Sameh offered a snapshot of her evolution. After dominating the opening game with superior length and control, Singh briefly ceded momentum before recalibrating her tactics. The response was decisive. By tightening her back-court game and increasing front-court pressure, she closed out the contest in four games, once again asserting her authority against Egyptian opposition.
What sets Singh apart in this field is her experience beyond junior squash. In 2024 alone, she captured nine PSA Challenger titles, a level of exposure that has sharpened her match management and mental resilience. By the end of 2025, she had already broken into the world’s top 30 at the senior level, effectively competing on two parallel tracks. That professional grounding has been evident in Birmingham, where her shot selection and tempo control have reflected a player accustomed to the physical and psychological demands of elite competition.
Singh’s presence in the GU19 semifinals also highlights a broader shift in Indian squash. While Egypt’s depth remains unmatched, India is no longer relying on isolated talent. Aryaveer Dewan’s run in the Boys Under-17 category further underlines this progression. Seeded second, Dewan’s quarter-final against Egypt’s Yassin Kouritam turned into one of the most physically demanding matches of the tournament. Spanning 72 minutes and five games, it tested not only technique but also endurance, composure, and tactical patience.
Dewan’s ability to recover from deficits and hold his nerve in a decisive fifth-game tiebreak showcased a maturity beyond his years. Competing in cold Birmingham conditions where maintaining ball heat and rally intensity is particularly challenging his performance stood out as a statement of elite conditioning. It also set up a semifinal clash with Egypt’s Philopater Saleh, adding another chapter to a growing India–Egypt rivalry at junior level.
Beyond Singh and Dewan, the wider Indian contingent delivered encouraging signs. Several players pushed higher-seeded opponents deep into matches, particularly in the Under-15 and Under-17 categories. While not all those contests ended in wins, the margins were narrow, reinforcing the sense that India’s junior pipeline is gaining technical depth, even if closing out tight matches remains the next step.
Yet the broader narrative of the 2026 BJO remains Egypt’s systemic supremacy. With nearly 30 Egyptian players reaching the semifinals across categories, their conveyor belt of talent continues to set the benchmark. The presence of players like Adam Hawal already a proven senior tour competitor illustrates how seamlessly Egypt integrates junior and professional pathways. That reality frames the challenge facing emerging nations: not just producing exceptional individuals, but building sustainable ecosystems.
The centenary edition has also underscored how professionalised junior squash has become. Mandatory officiating certifications, strict conduct enforcement, all-glass courts, and multi-venue logistics have elevated the BJO into a near-professional environment. For players like Singh and Dewan, this serves as ideal preparation for the demands of full-time professional careers.
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As the tournament heads into its final stages, Anahat Singh’s pursuit of a fourth British Junior Open crown stands as one of the most compelling storylines of the week. Regardless of the final outcome, her presence at the business end of the centenary edition confirms her status as one of the most complete junior players produced by Indian squash. Alongside Aryaveer Dewan’s breakthrough run, it signals a generation that is increasingly comfortable competing and surviving at the highest level of global junior squash.
She defeated Barb Sameh 11-4, 10-12, 11-9, 11-3 in QF at British Junior Open 2026!
In a tournament that has shaped champions for a hundred years, India’s growing footprint in Birmingham suggests that its future in the sport is no longer aspirational, but increasingly inevitable.
