\u201cI honestly just didn\u2019t want to let it go easily. It was 3-0 for her, but I didn\u2019t want to let any point go without a fight. I definitely didn\u2019t play my best squash today, but I didn\u2019t want to give up until the last point because you never know what can happen,\u201d Anahat told IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 18-year-old became the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in the Asian Games women\u2019s singles squash event. She had earlier scripted history by becoming the first Indian to reach the women\u2019s singles final at the continental showpiece.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sivasangari, ranked No. 5 in the world, controlled the contest with her attacking game and defence to successfully defend the gold medal she won at Hangzhou 2022.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anahat, however, looked back at her campaign with satisfaction, having beaten World No. 6 Satomi Watanabe in a dramatic semifinal after coming back from two games down and saving two match points.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYeah, like you said, the competition\u2019s been, I mean, Siva\u2019s number five in the world, Satomi\u2019s number six, so just getting to play against the top players is something that\u2019s really special, and, of course, I\u2019m quite happy with the silver medal,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis is my first time playing individuals, actually, and my second time playing in the Asian Games, and just getting to learn from this and be at this stage is something that is very exciting for every athlete, and also getting a medal on top of that is something I\u2019m quite happy about.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The silver also meant Anahat missed out on the first direct qualification opportunity for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where squash will make its debut, with the singles gold medallist earning the quota.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anahat, however, said the experience would be an important part of her development over the next two years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI tried my 100 per cent, but there are always things that work out and some things that don't, and hopefully the journey for the next two years is going to be good,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The reigning Junior World Champion also had a message for young girls in India who aspire to pursue sport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019d just say to give it your all, and if it\u2019s something that you really love doing and are passionate about, you should not let it go very easily, and you should just push and just enjoy every moment of it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anahat credited her family, coaches, government and sponsors for helping her reach the highest level of the sport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"There are a lot of people I can dedicate it to. First of all, my family, my parents and my sister and just everyone; they\u2019ve supported me through every single thing, and they\u2019re always there in whatever I need, and of course my coaches as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t have done any of this without them, and just getting to be a part of the stage and competing at the highest level is something that\u2019s not very easy, and I\u2019m only able to do that because of all of them,\u201d she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The teenager also praised the growing support for squash in India and the government\u2019s role in helping the sport reach more athletes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s great that there are more sports that are getting attention. Even squash has grown a lot in the last few years, and I think it\u2019s great to see so many new players that want to pick up squash and other sports as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s the government\u2019s support that really matters the most, and the fact that they\u2019re pushing it \u2013 I\u2019m pretty sure that it\u2019s going to grow. Even more and more athletes can come out of this and represent India and squash and other sports at the highest level,\u201d she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s great that there are more sports that are getting attention. Even squash has grown a lot in the last few years, and I think it\u2019s great to see so many new players that want to pick up squash and other sports as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely a new experience, and it\u2019s very exciting. You only get this once in four years, so I\u2019m trying to savour every moment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n