Indian squash is having a golden run in the last one month with Suraj Kumar Chand creating history. In late July, Anahat Singh scripted history by becoming the first Indian world junior champion. On Thursday, Suraj Kumar Chand also wrote his name into the history books by becoming India’s first-ever gold medallist at the FISU World University Squash Championships after winning the men’s final.
Up against Hungary’s Benedek Takács in a thrilling five-game final, Suraj Kumar Chand held his nerve to win the contest 5-11, 11-8, 11-5, 6-11, 11-4.
The FISU World University Squash Championships 2026 are being held at the Somaiya Vidyavihar University in Mumbai. Thursday’s victory was Suraj Kumar Chand’s second medal at the FISU World University Squash Championships having also bagged the men’s singles bronze in the previous edition of the tournament at Johannesburg.
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A part of India’s Asian Games 2026 squad, Suraj Kumar Chand began his campaign with a 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 win against Simon Rynt of Czechia.
The Indian squash player then overcame France’s Matteo Carrouget 11-6, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6 in the quarter-final before rallying from behind to defeat another Frenchman Joshua Jacques-Phinera 9-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-2, 12-10 in the semis.
Anahat scripts history by becoming first Indian to win World Squash Junior Championship
Earlier, India’s hopes of an all-Indian title clash ended when Om Semwal went down 11-5, 11-4, 12-10 against Benedek Takács in the semi-finals.
Sandhesh Palanivel Ravikumar, the third Indian in the men’s draw, finished seventh after Spain’s Hugo Lafuente Jaén withdrew from the seventh-place playoff.
Marta claims women’s gold
In the women’s competition, Spain’s Marta Domínguez captured the gold medal with an 11-3, 11-7, 11-7 victory over Hong Kong China’s Ching Hei Fung.
Pooja Arthi was India’s best-performing woman, defeating compatriot Shameena Riaz 11-9, 12-10 to finish ninth, while Nirupama Dubey secured 11th place with an 11-2, 11-3 win over Czechia’s Tereza Široká.
Organised by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the World Squash Championships bring together squash players from 14 countries and regions for a week of international competition across individual and team events.
The team events will start on Friday with the finals to be played on Sunday.
