Anahat Singh Clinches Silver in Asian Games Squash Final
Anahat Singh secures silver in the women's singles squash final at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, falling to Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam.
India's rising squash sensation Anahat Singh secured a silver medal for the nation at the ongoing Asian Games 2026 in Japan. In a high-stakes women's singles final held on Sunday, Singh faced off against Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam, ultimately finishing as the runner-up.
A Dominant Display by Subramaniam
The final match was a quick contest, lasting only 27 minutes. Subramaniam proved too strong for the Indian star, winning the match in straight games. Anahat struggled to find her rhythm early on, losing the first two games with scores of 4-11 and 4-11. While she showed more resilience in the third game, she was unable to turn the tide, eventually losing that set 7-11.
This silver medal adds to India's growing success at the games. With this achievement, India's total medal tally has reached 32, consisting of 4 gold, 14 silver, and 14 bronze medals.
Abhay Singh Also Secures Silver in Men's Singles
The squash action was intense for the Indian men's side as well. Abhay Singh, the world No. 26, also claimed a silver medal after falling to Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow in the men's singles final. Eain Yow, ranked No. 17, successfully defended his title with a straight-game victory.
Missed Olympic Opportunity
The result was a bittersweet moment for Abhay Singh. While the silver is a massive career milestone, the gold medal in this event was reserved for an Olympic qualification spot for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Because he finished second, Abhay missed out on that direct path to the Olympics.
Abhay's journey to the final was notable, as he became only the second Indian man—after Saurav Ghosal—to reach an Asian Games singles final. His path to the podium included a convincing semifinal victory over Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan with scores of 11-3, 12-10, and 11-6.
A Stellar Year for Abhay Singh
The 28-year-old Abhay Singh has had a remarkable 2026 season. His recent achievements include:
- Winning the Indian Open in Mumbai.
- Securing his third Tuanku Muhriz Trophy title in Malaysia.
- Being part of the gold-winning Indian team at the 2025 SDAT Squash World Cup in Chennai.
An Arjuna Award recipient in 2024, Abhay reached a career-high PSA ranking of No. 22 in April 2026.