Anahat Singh won the duel 9-11 11-13 12-10 11-6 11-3, Abhay Singh then rolled past Pakistan’s Muhammad Irfan 3-0 on September 26, 2026
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Indian squash players dominated the Asian Games on Saturday (September 26, 2026), with teen sensation Anahat Singh stunning world No. 6 Satomi Watanabe 3-2 to reach the women’s singles final, and Abhay Singh charging into the men’s gold medal round here.
The 18-year-old world junior champion Anahat staged a remarkable comeback after being down 0-2 at one stage of the semifinal to register one of the biggest wins of her career.
The Indian won the duel 9-11 11-13 12-10 11-6 11-3, exacting sweet revenge for losing to the same player in another five games earlier this year. This was the second meeting between the two players.
Abhay then rolled past Pakistan’s Muhammad Irfan 3-0 (11-3 12-10 11-6) to enter the men’s singles final. Abhay made a commanding start in his semifinal, racing to a 6-2 lead in the opening game and continued in the same vein through the 35-minute match.
The Indian looked in total control of the match on his way to the final and step closer to the gold medal. He was stretched in the second game by his opponent from Pakistan but came out unscathed to lead 2-0. The script remained the same in the third game as Abhay emerged winner without any facing any trouble.
Earlier in the day, the duo of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar settled for the bronze medal after suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 (11-10 2-11 11-10) loss against Hong Kong’s Tang Ming Hong and Lee Ka Yi after an intense three gamer at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.
Then, young superstar Anahat was trailing 0-2 against home favourite Watanabe in her semifinal that was stretched to five games and which also saw the Indian’s head colliding with the Japanese player’s shoulder as the teenager looked to retrieve the ball.
The match was stopped for a brief while as Anahat received medical attention after the unfortunate collision.
The Indians had assured themselves of a medal by progressing to the semifinals with a win over David Pelino and Jemyca Aribado of the Philippines on Friday (September 25).
Down 0-2 after losing the first two games, Anahat had a mountain to climb but she showed great character to make a strong comeback to claim the third and fourth games to force a decider, in which the Indian did not allow her opponent not a single opportunity to dictate terms.
The match showed how quickly things can change in this racket sport.
Joshna and Senthilkumar fall short
In the mixed doubles semifinals, after a tight first game in which Lee Ka Yi and Tang Ming Hong edged the Indians, Joshna and Senthilkumar bounced back in style to claim the second game.
However, in another extremely close affair, the players from Hong Kong kept their composure to emerge winners and enter the final of the event.
The Indians had assured themselves of a medal by progressing to the semifinals with a win over David Pelino and Jemyca Aribado of the Philippines on Friday (September 25).
It is the sixth Asian Games medal for 40-year-old Joshna. She already has a haul of two silver and three bronze medals at the continental event.
Published – September 26, 2026 11:56 am IST
