India experienced a bittersweet Sunday on the squash courts of the Asian Games 2026, as both rising star Anahat Singh and seasoned campaigner Abhay Singh fell just short of the ultimate prize, settling for silver medals in their respective singles finals against formidable Malaysian opponents.
Anahat’s Valiant Run Ends in Women’s Final
Teen sensation Anahat Singh put up a spirited fight in the women’s singles gold-medal clash but ultimately succumbed to Malaysia’s experienced Sivasangari Subramaniam in straight games (3-0). The 27-minute match saw Anahat struggle to break through her opponent’s tight defence in the opening two games, dropping them both 4-11, 4-11. Although she mounted a much more competitive display in the final game, Subramaniam closed it out 11-7 to secure the gold. Despite the loss, Anahat’s silver added significant pride to India’s growing medal tally at the Games.
Abhay Falls to World No. 17 in Men’s Final
In the men’s singles showdown, world No. 26 Abhay Singh faced a monumental task against defending champion and Malaysian world No. 17 Ng Eain Yow. Abhay battled hard but was unable to match Eain Yow’s relentless consistency, dropping the match 9-11, 5-11, 5-11.
While the silver medal is a remarkable milestone for the 28-year-old Arjuna Award recipient—making him only the second Indian man after Saurav Ghosal to reach an Asian Games singles final—the defeat also meant he missed out on the coveted direct Olympic qualification spot reserved for the gold medalist, ahead of squash’s debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Reflecting on a stellar 2026 season that includes victories at the Indian Open and the Tuanku Muhriz Trophy, Abhay’s resilient campaign further solidifies his status as a cornerstone of Indian squash. Together, the stellar performances of Anahat and Abhay pushed India’s overall medal count past the 30-mark at the ongoing continental event.
