9 Titles in One Year: How Anahat Singh Became World Champion at 18 | FO548 Raj Shamani

In this extensive interview, Raj Shamani sits down with Anahat Singh to dissect the reality of being a top-tier teenage athlete. The conversation begins by looking back at her historic win at the World Junior Squash Championship, where she became the first Indian ever to claim the title. Singh reflects on the mental strength required to perform under pressure and the specific mindset that keeps her competitive, even when facing injuries or setbacks that others might view as reasons to quit.

As the discussion progresses, the two explore the personal costs of her dedication. Singh opens up about missing milestone life events, such as her own high school graduation, to compete in international tournaments, and the internal conflict between viewing sport as an 'escape' versus an 'identity.' She shares honest anecdotes about her training discipline, including her unconventional habits—like her strictly maintained pre-sleep snack routine—and her superstitious approach to game-day rituals, such as the specific order in which she looks at her support system before a match.

Finally, the interview touches on the broader landscape of the sport. Singh analyzes why certain countries dominate specific disciplines, contrasting the infrastructure in squash-heavy nations like Egypt with the developing landscape in India. The episode concludes with a candid reflection on what it truly takes to remain at the top, how she processes losses, and why she maintains the intense, uncompromising competitiveness that has defined her rapid ascent in the sport.