Chennai, India – In a historic moment for Indian sports, the nation's squash team clinched its maiden Squash World Cup title, defeating Hong Kong, China, 3-0 in a dominant final held at the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai on Sunday. This victory marks India's first-ever World Cup gold in squash and establishes them as the first Asian nation to achieve this feat. The journey to the title saw India showcase exceptional skill and teamwork, overcoming challenges and exceeding expectations throughout the tournament.
The Indian team, seeded second, remained undefeated throughout the competition. In the group stage, they secured identical 4-0 victories against Switzerland and Brazil. The team then demonstrated their dominance by defeating South Africa and two-time winners Egypt with 3-0 scores in the quarter and semi-finals, respectively. This set the stage for a final showdown against top-seeded Hong Kong, China.
The final witnessed a determined Indian side take to the court with a blend of experience and youthful exuberance. Veteran Joshna Chinappa, ranked 79th in the world, set the tone by defeating world No. 37 Lee Ka Yi 3-1 in the opening women's singles match. Chinappa's resilience and experience proved crucial in giving India an early advantage. Abhay Singh, India's highest-ranked men's singles player at world No. 29, continued the momentum with a dominant 3-0 victory over Alex Lau. Singh's aggressive play and precise shots overwhelmed his opponent, extending India's lead to 2-0.
With the title within reach, 17-year-old Anahat Singh stepped up to face world No. 31 Tomato Ho. Singh, who gained attention at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, displayed remarkable composure and skill, securing a 3-0 victory and sealing the World Cup title for India. Her performance ensured that Velavan Senthilkumar, the men's singles national champion, did not need to play his match.
The victory sparked celebrations among players and fans alike, marking a significant milestone in Indian squash history. India's triumph places them among an elite group of nations, including Australia, England, and Egypt, who have won the Squash World Cup. The win also marks India's second medal in the Squash World Cup, an upgrade from their bronze medal in 2023.
This edition marked the fifth staging of the Squash World Cup and the third consecutive time Chennai has hosted the event. With squash set to make its Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Games, this victory could provide a significant boost to the sport's popularity and development in India.
