Harvard Wait: Teen Squash Star Chooses Olympic Dream

Sometimes the biggest win means saying no to something incredible for a shot at something even better.

Anahat Singh earned acceptance to Harvard University, one of the world's most prestigious schools. But the 18-year-old Indian squash sensation just put that dream on pause. Her reason? Squash is making its Olympic debut at LA 2028, and she wants to make history.

The decision came right after Anahat won the World Junior Squash Championships in Canada earlier this month. Her victory ended a 15-year Egyptian winning streak in the sport. It was her fifth and final chance to claim the junior title.

For the past 12 years, Anahat has juggled elite international competition with her studies. Her older sister Amira went to Harvard, and Anahat planned to follow that path this fall. But winning in Canada changed everything.

"I decided to take a gap year because of the Asian Games coming up," Anahat told PTI. "This year is really important for me regarding squash and the build-up to the LA 2028 Olympics."

The timing couldn't be more perfect. Squash joins the Olympic program for the first time in Los Angeles. Next year's Asian Games in Japan will serve as a qualifying event, with one Olympic spot per gender up for grabs. A gold medal there would punch Anahat's ticket straight to LA.

Why This Inspires

Anahat currently ranks 20th in the world and sits atop Indian women's squash. Only two Asian players rank higher: Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam at number five and Japan's Satomi Watanabe at six.

The competition will be fierce, but Anahat's junior world championship run proved she can beat the best. She defeated three Egyptian players, athletes from the sport's traditional powerhouse nation. That experience gave her something money can't buy: belief.

"If I have a shot at getting a chance to be a part of the Olympics in almost two months, I think that will be a dream come true," she said.

Harvard has waited nearly 400 years. It can wait one more for Anahat Singh to chase her Olympic dream.