“Things don’t always go your way”: Anahat Singh after Asian Games silver
Indian squash star Anahat Singh reflects on her silver medal win at the Asian Games 2026 and her journey toward Olympic qualification.
Indian squash prodigy Anahat Singh has secured a silver medal in her maiden Asian Games singles appearance, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career. Despite the disappointment of falling short in the gold medal match at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, the young athlete remains optimistic about her future on the global stage.
A Hard-Fought Final in Japan
The women's singles final saw Singh face off against Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam. The match proved to be a challenging encounter for the Indian star, lasting only 27 minutes. Singh struggled to find her rhythm against her opponent, losing the first two games with scores of 4-11 and 4-11. While she showed more resilience in the deciding third game, she ultimately lost it 7-11, finishing the match with a silver medal.
Reflecting on the Silver Medal
Speaking to ANI after the match, Singh expressed a mix of emotions regarding her performance and the result. While she acknowledged that the outcome was not what she had envisioned, she embraced the achievement of winning a medal so early in her career.
"I wouldn’t say I’m too happy, but I’m definitely happy with the silver. It’s my first time playing singles at the Asian Games, and to get the opportunity to win a medal in just my second Asian Games is something I’m definitely happy about. I’m also happy with how I played yesterday. Today, though, was definitely not what I wanted or expected. But things don’t always go your way," Singh said.
Eyes Set on the Olympics
For Singh, this tournament is a stepping stone toward her ultimate goal: qualifying for the Olympics. She views the experience gained in Aichi-Nagoya as vital training for the high-pressure environments of major multi-sport events. Having previously competed in the Commonwealth Games only once, she is acutely aware that she is still in the early stages of her professional journey.
Singh emphasized that every point played serves as a lesson. She noted that mastering the atmosphere and managing critical moments in a match are skills that can only be honed through repeated exposure to elite competition. Her plan is to utilize the coming months and years to build on this experience and maximize every opportunity to reach the Olympic stage.
Squash Results at Asian Games 2026
While Singh's silver was a moment of pride for India, the nation's quest for an individual squash gold medal at these games remains unfulfilled. In the men's singles final, India's Abhay Singh was defeated by Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow, losing in straight games with scores of 9-11, 5-11, and 5-11.