"Amazing to get a chance to stand on podium”: Anahat Singh on historic Asian Games silver
Indian squash star Anahat Singh celebrates her historic silver medal at the Asian Games 2026, marking a milestone for Indian women's squash.
Indian squash sensation Anahat Singh has returned home as a history-maker, celebrating her monumental achievement at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. After making her debut in the singles event, Singh secured a silver medal, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve such a feat in squash singles at the continental tournament.
The young athlete expressed immense joy at her performance, despite the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on the top spot on the podium.
A Historic Debut on the Continental Stage
For Anahat Singh, the journey to the silver medal was more than just a podium finish; it was a breakthrough for Indian squash. While she fell 0-3 in the final to Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam, her performance solidified her place among the elite players in Asia.
Speaking to the media upon her return to India, Singh shared her emotions regarding the milestone:
"It was my first time playing the singles event, so getting to win a medal and also getting a silver was amazing. Of course, with the Olympic criteria of getting the gold, I wanted to push a bit further and possibly go into getting gold, but it doesn't always go your way. But I'm happy I was able to put on a good performance and take this with me so I can get a gold next time," she said.
Beyond her individual success, Singh was instrumental in the Indian women's team campaign. The squad fought hard to secure a bronze medal after a closely contested 2-1 semifinal loss to Hong Kong.
India's Dominant Squash Campaign
The Indian squash contingent, consisting of eight members, enjoyed a highly successful outing in Aichi-Nagoya, bringing home a total of five medals: two silver and three bronze.
The men's side also saw significant success led by Abhay Singh. Abhay mirrored Anahat's achievement by winning a silver medal in the men's singles event, though he also faced a 0-3 defeat in the final, this time against Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow. Abhay's efforts also contributed to a bronze medal for the Indian men's team.
Eyes Set on Los Angeles 2028
With squash set to make its highly anticipated Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, the focus for India's top players has shifted toward Olympic qualification. Both Anahat and Abhay expressed a hunger to convert their silver successes into gold in the future to secure their spots on the world's biggest sporting stage.
Reflecting on his performance, Abhay Singh noted:
"I am happy to add to the medal tally. Personally, I am quite disappointed that I don't have a gold medal this time, but you know there is always a next one... The effort is to qualify for the Olympics first and then work towards a medal."