12 year old squash player Kareena Sashikumar has created history after becoming the first Singaporean to win an Asian junior individual age-group title at the Asian Junior Individual Championships in China.
She competed in the Under-13 girls category at Sinchuan Panshiya Highland Sports Training Base, Kareena played a strong game to defeat Japan’s Rio Yoshino 11-2, 11-3, 11-1 in 15 minutes during the finals on 24th May 2026.
Her win marks Singapore’s first Asian junior individual title since Mah Li Lian’s win in 1987, before age-group categories were introduced in 2006.
After the tournament, Kareena said she felt very happy, proud and grateful as this had been her goal since last year.
The Primary 6 student from Farrer Park Primary School had shown consistency throughout the tournament, winning in every match without dropping a single set.
After the first round, she defeated three Indian opponents, including Riyaa Dalal, Alia Kankaria, and Shanaya Parasrampuria.
Singapore Squash Rackets Association general manager Alex Wan has described this win as a major milestone for her. Kareena has already set bigger goals, she hopes one day she could win the British Junior Open and represent Singapore at SEA Games, Asian Games and the 2032 Olympics.
Next she is in the South East Asian Junior Individual Championships in Manila from 10th to 14th June.
Sources: The Straits Times
