India’s Suraj Kumar Chand as he became the first Indian to win the gold medal in men’s individual category of FISU World University Squash Championship. The 25-year-old squash player based in Mumbai displayed a remarkable performance on August 6, 2026, by beating the Hungarian, Benedek Takacs in a thrilling five game final. It makes it more special is that this historic win came at his home turf – Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai where Suraj is studying.
Who Is Suraj Kumar Chand?
He is born on December 4, 1981, Suraj Kumar Chand is a 25-year-old squash player and is a student of Somaiya Vidyavihar University of Mumbai. Known for his composure under pressure and the ability to recover from tough situations, Suraj showed his skills in the historic championship of FISU.
The success of Suraj is the result of long years of playing competitive squash. He already had made a mark in domestic and international squash prior to his historic win at FISU in 2026.
As a school boy, Suraj bagged the gold at the National School Games Squash Championship.
Major Milestones of Suraj Kumar Chand
Suraj’s win at FISU Championship is preceded by a few major achievements.
He bagged a bronze in men’s singles and team bronze at the 2024 World University Championships held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He also qualified for the quarter-finals of the Asian Mixed Doubles Squash Championship in Malaysia.
Suraj won the HCL PSA Indian Tour event in April 2026 in Chennai without losing a game in the tournament, thereby boosting his credentials as a professional player.
His performance has led to his selection to participate in the 2026 Asian Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in men’s team and mixed doubles categories.
Historic Gold Medal Performance at the FISU Championship by Suraj
Suraj’s path to the historic achievement has seen him clinch many close contests.
Suraj opened his campaign with an emphatic 3-game victory over Simon Rynt of Czechia, winning 11-8, 11-4, 11-4.
He then went ahead to beat Matteo Carrouget of France in the quarter-final 11-6, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6.
The semi-final was perhaps the most difficult contest of Suraj’s career so far. He came back strongly from 2 games down to defeat Joshua Jacques-Phinera of France 9-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-2, 12-10.
This comeback gave him an opportunity to play the final against Benedek Takacs of Hungary.
Suraj Kumar Chand vs Benedek Takacs: The Historic Final
It was an exciting encounter in which both players won three games each, making it an intense five-game match.
The Hungarian beat Suraj in the first game, scoring 11-5. Suraj bounced back by winning the second game with 11-8.
He maintained his pace by winning the third game 11-5. Benedek took the fourth game 11-6, leveling the score at 2-2.
But with the championship on the line, Suraj played his best squash, beating Benedek 11-4 and emerging victorius in the end.
Why Suraj’s FISU Triumph Is a Historic One
It is a remarkable feat as Indian athletes had never before brought home a gold medal in individual category from the FISU World University Squash Championship.
Indians had won other types of medals at the tournament, but the men’s singles medal had eluded them.
Suraj has broken this curse.
The feat becomes even more noteworthy because the championship took place in Mumbai, where Suraj got a chance to bring home the medal on home ground and from the very institution where he studies.
The fact also points towards the increasing pool of Indian squash players who can beat international oppositions on their turf.
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