Winning a gold medal, no matter where, is always special – but winning it on home soil in Goa, where my squash journey began, felt like a full-circle moment.” – Akanksha Salunkhe
Akanksha Salunkhe’s Golden Streak Lives On
When Akanksha Salunkhe clinched gold at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, she didn’t just add another medal to her growing collection—she made a statement. For the second consecutive edition, Salunkhe stood atop the podium, reaffirming her place as one of India’s brightest squash talents. Yet, for the 26-year-old from Goa, this victory carries a deeper resonance, one that echoes her unwavering commitment to a sport that rarely finds itself in the Goan spotlight.
Goa is not where one typically imagines a national squash champion to emerge. But for Akanksha, her journey began in an unlikely place—a naval base. “I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by naval officers who were willing to play and push me,” she recalls. Her father, a naval officer stationed in Goa, introduced her to the sport when she was just a child. The curiosity of hitting a little black ball against four walls soon transformed into a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Winning back-to-back gold medals at the National Games is a rare feat, but the first one on home soil in 2023 was extra special. “Goa is where I picked up my first racket. Winning a gold medal here after 13 years felt like a full-circle moment,” she reflects. While the emotional weight of her 2023 victory lingers, the latest triumph in Uttarakhand proved that her dominance is no coincidence.
Despite her experience, this year’s National Games came with unique challenges. “Playing against juniors is always tricky. They have nothing to lose,” Akanksha admits. Yet, her years of experience and mental fortitude became her greatest allies. “I kept reminding myself to maintain my level and trust my game. My experience was a tool that came in handy.”
The contrasting conditions between Goa and Uttarakhand also tested her adaptability. “Goa has hotter, bouncier courts, while Uttarakhand’s courts were cold and dead,” she explains. But Akanksha’s approach remains pragmatic. “Once you adjust to the courts, the fundamentals of executing a game plan remain the same.”
Salunkhe’s path to success has been paved with sacrifices. While her peers enjoyed movies and social outings, she was chasing her dream across continents. “I missed out on a lot of regular teenage experiences,” she confesses. “But in the end, it was all worth it.”
From winning the Canberra Open in 2023 to triumphing at the 2eme Open International Feminin de Couzeix/Limoges in 2024, her career trajectory is on a meteoric rise. Currently ranked World No. 62, Salunkhe is setting her sights even higher.
Indian squash is still grappling with issues of infrastructure and funding. Akanksha believes the solution lies in grassroots development. “We need to introduce squash in schools,” she advocates. “If kids are exposed to it the way they are to cricket and football, the numbers will grow.”
Her advice to young athletes from non-traditional sporting states is simple yet profound: “Just try it. Put on some shoes, grab a racket, and hit some balls. You might just fall in love with it.”
The gold medal in Uttarakhand is just another step toward greater ambitions. Next on her agenda are two prestigious 15K PSA tournaments in Mumbai and Chennai this March. “Winning those are my immediate goals,” she states with a steely determination. But her ultimate dream? Medals at the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, and one day, the Olympics.
