Squash campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 produced two historic silver medals for India on Sunday, as Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh finished runners-up to Malaysia’s defending champions in the women’s and men’s singles finals at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.
Key Takeaways
- Anahat Singh became the first Indian woman to win a squash singles silver at the Asian Games.
- Abhay Singh claimed men’s singles silver, joining Saurav Ghosal as India’s only male singles silver medallists.
- Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam and Eain Yow Ng retained the singles titles and secured direct LA 2028 Olympic qualification.
India secured two silver medals in squash at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on Sunday, with Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh finishing second in the women’s and men’s singles events.
Both Indian players faced defending champions from Malaysia in the finals. Anahat lost to Sivasangari Subramaniam 4-11, 4-11, 7-11. Abhay went down 9-11, 5-11, 5-11 against Eain Yow Ng.
The results gave India significant milestones in both singles competitions. They also ended the direct Olympic qualification hopes of both Indian finalists for Los Angeles 2028.
Anahat Creates Indian Squash History
Anahat, the reigning Junior World Champion, reached the women’s singles final after a remarkable semifinal comeback against World No. 6 Satomi Watanabe.
The 18-year-old Indian recovered after falling two games behind against the Japanese player. She also saved two match points before completing the victory.
Her semifinal win made her the first Indian to reach the women’s singles squash final at the Asian Games.
Although she could not finish the campaign with gold, Anahat created another milestone. She became India’s first women’s singles silver medallist in squash at the Asian Games.
Sivasangari Controls the Final
Sivasangari entered the gold-medal match as the defending champion after winning the title at the Hangzhou Games.
The Malaysian quickly established control against Anahat. She took the opening game 11-4 as the Indian struggled to match her opponent’s attacking intensity.
Sivasangari maintained the pressure in the second game. Her combination of attack and defence gave Anahat few opportunities to turn the contest around.
The Malaysian again won 11-4 to move within one game of the title.
Anahat tried to fight back in the third game but Sivasangari remained in command. She closed out the match 11-7 and retained her Asian Games women’s singles title.
The victory also gave Sivasangari the direct squash quota for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Squash will make its Olympic debut at the Games.
Abhay Follows with Men’s Singles Silver
Earlier in the day, Abhay Singh also secured a silver medal after losing to Malaysia’s defending champion Eain Yow Ng.
The 44-minute final began with a closely fought opening game. Both players engaged in long rallies before Abhay made the first breakthrough and moved 2-1 ahead.
Eain responded with four straight points to take a 6-3 lead. Abhay continued to challenge the Malaysian and eventually levelled the score at 8-8.
A disguised backhand winner and a stroke call helped the Indian stay in contention. Eain, however, secured two game points at 10-8. Abhay saved one, but the Malaysian took the opener 11-9.
The second game quickly shifted in Eain’s favour. Abhay kept pace at 2-2 before a series of errors allowed the defending champion to establish a 7-3 advantage.
Eain continued to apply pressure and reached 10-5 before closing out the game to take a 2-0 lead.
Eain Completes Malaysia’s Double
Abhay made a positive start to the third game and moved 4-2 ahead. He combined a precise backhand slice with a crosscourt kill as he looked to extend the final.
Eain remained composed. He levelled the score at 4-4 before taking three consecutive points for a 7-5 lead.
The Malaysian then moved to 9-5. Abhay could not produce the response needed to force another game.
Eain reached 10-5 and had five championship points. On the final rally, Abhay attempted a slice, but the ball struck the tin.
The victory allowed Eain to retain the men’s singles title he won at Hangzhou 2022. It also secured his direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
For Abhay, the silver marked another notable achievement in Indian squash. He became only the second Indian man after Saurav Ghosal to win a singles silver medal at the Asian Games. Ghosal had claimed silver in 2014 and 2023.
India therefore ended the Asian Games squash singles events with two silver medals, while Malaysia retained both defending champions’ titles. (Edited by Enewstime Desk)