Maharashtra’s youngest squash sensation, Anika Dubey, clinched a bronze medal at the prestigious 32nd Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship held in South Korea, adding yet another milestone to her journey. At just 15, Anika competed in the fiercely contested Girls Under-17 category and emerged as one of only four Indian medallists in the tournament.

Her victory is especially significant for Pune, a city still emerging on India’s mainstream sports map. Anika’s performance places Maharashtra on the Asian squash leaderboard and marks one of the state’s best-ever finishes at the individual junior level. With this medal, she not only affirms her status as one of India’s brightest young athletes but also shines a spotlight on the grit and excellence coming out of tier-2 cities.

Anika Dubey Wins Bronze at Asian Junior Championship, Cementing Pune’s Rise in Indian Squash

Speaking about this, Abhinav Sinha, her mentor and coach, said, “Anika’s bronze is a statement from a generation that is rewriting what’s possible in Indian sport. She is part of a silent revolution taking root in places like Pune, where children are showing that world-class talent can come from anywhere, not just metros. Her medal belongs as much to her as it does to every parent, coach, and child chasing big dreams in small towns.”

Currently ranked India No. 2 in the Under-19 girls’ division, Anika was also recently selected to represent India at the World Junior Squash Championships in Cairo this July, making her the youngest from Maharashtra to achieve this distinction. Anika trains under the mentorship of Abhinav Sinha through the Chance2Sports initiative and Kanga Kids system. Her training is supported by SportsSkill and Khar Gymkhana, where she continues to sharpen her competitive edge.