'Very strong opponent': Abhay Singh reflects on squash gold miss
Abhay Singh reflects on his squash loss to Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow at the Asian Games and looks toward LA 2028.
Indian squash star Abhay Singh expressed his disappointment after missing out on the men’s singles gold medal at the Asian Games 2026, while acknowledging the superior performance of his opponent.
In a high-stakes final held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, the world No. 26 Abhay Singh fell to Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow. The Malaysian, ranked 17th in the world, secured a straight-game victory with a scoreline of 11-9, 11-5, 11-5, successfully defending his Asian Games title.
Respect for the Champion
Speaking to ANI following the match, Abhay remained composed despite the loss, offering praise to the gold medalist. He noted that while he was disappointed, he felt his own performance was solid and that the victory belonged to his opponent.
“A bit disappointed, hopefully, next week we can put things in order and come back with a better medal. I don't think much went wrong on my end. I think I came up against a very strong opponent who got things right today. So all credit to him,” Abhay stated.
Eyes on LA 2028 and Commonwealth Games
Despite the heartbreak in the singles category, the Indian athlete is already looking toward the horizon. His focus remains fixed on long-term goals, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and the upcoming Commonwealth Games in India.
For now, however, his immediate priority remains the team events at the ongoing games. “We have a gold medal to try and win next week, so we're not really looking forward to anything else,” he added.
Support for Anahat Singh
The tournament also saw 18-year-old Anahat Singh secure a silver medal in the women's singles after losing 3-0 to Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam. Abhay Singh was quick to back the young prodigy, urging the nation to support her after her hard-fought campaign.
“I think we need to give the girl credit. She's only 18 years old. She's come up against a very experienced opponent who she's struggled with a few times... I know how she is. She's going to be tough on herself, but at times like this, the athlete needs as much support as they can get,” Abhay said.
Coach's Perspective: Aiming Higher
Squash head coach Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu expressed pride in the squad's progress but maintained a hunger for more silverware. While acknowledging the achievement of the silver medal, he emphasized that the team is not finished yet.
"I am proud of the way our players have performed... I wouldn't say I am satisfied with just the silver medal; however, the team events are still to come. We hope to do even better going forward," Sandhu remarked.