NEW DELHI: India’s wait for a squash singles gold at the Asian Games continued on Sunday as both Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh lost their respective finals to Malaysian opponents, leaving the country with two silver medals from the individual events.World No. 5 Sivasangari Subramaniam defeated 18-year-old Anahat 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 in the women’s singles final at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena, while world No. 17 Ng Eain Yow beat world No. 26 Abhay 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 in the men’s final earlier in the day.The two results meant Malaysia swept the two singles gold medals. For Anahat, the silver was nevertheless historic as she became the first Indian woman to reach the squash singles final at the Asian Games.The result also meant India missed the direct qualification opportunity for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics that was at stake through the Asian Games singles competition. Squash will make its Olympic debut at LA 2028.Asian Games Full Coverage | Medal Tally | Schedule
Anahat unable to sustain bright start
Anahat made an encouraging start to the women’s final, taking a 3-2 lead against Sivasangari and showing the attacking intent that had carried her into the gold-medal match.The Malaysian, however, quickly changed the momentum. Sivasangari began finding greater control in the rallies and moved 8-3 ahead before closing out the opening game 11-4.Anahat needed an immediate response, but Sivasangari continued to dictate the contest. The Malaysian moved into a 2-0 lead by taking the second game 11-4, leaving the Indian teenager needing three successive games to turn the final around.Anahat fought to stay in the contest in the third, but Sivasangari remained in control. The Malaysian eventually completed a straight-games victory with an 11-7 third-game win.For Anahat, the defeat ended a campaign in which she had reached the Asian Games singles final at just 18. The reigning world junior champion had also carried India’s hopes of securing a historic women’s singles gold.
Abhay also denied by Malaysia
A few hours earlier, Abhay had faced a similar outcome in the men’s final against Ng Eain Yow.The opening game was closely contested, with Ng holding a narrow 4-3 advantage and Abhay remaining within touching distance. The Indian produced a clever change of angle at one stage to wrong-foot the Malaysian and stayed in contention at 8-7.Ng, however, handled the closing exchanges better and took the game 11-9.The Malaysian then established greater control in the second game, winning it 11-5. Abhay responded strongly at the beginning of the third, opening up a 4-2 lead, but Ng fought back and moved ahead 6-5.Abhay remained within a point, but Ng held his nerve to close out the game 11-5 and complete the 3-0 victory.The silver marked a strong finish for Abhay, who had progressed to the final without major difficulty and was attempting to add another chapter to India’s men’s singles squash record at the Asian Games.
Three squash medals, team events next
India’s two singles silvers add to the bronze won by Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar in mixed doubles. With three medals secured, India’s squash campaign now moves into the team events from Monday.The two singles finals had offered India an opportunity to collect gold medals in both men’s and women’s events. Instead, Malaysia emerged with both titles, while India finished with silver in each.The focus now shifts to the team competitions, where India will look to add to its medal tally after narrowly missing out on the singles golds.