Abhay Singh Secures Silver in Asian Games Squash Final
Abhay Singh loses to Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow in the men's singles final, securing silver but missing Olympic qualification.
India's quest for an individual squash gold medal at the Asian Games remains unfinished. In a high-stakes men's singles final held on Sunday, Abhay Singh fought hard but ultimately fell to Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow, finishing with a silver medal.
The match saw the world No. 17, Eain Yow, demonstrate superior consistency to secure a straight-game victory (11-9, 11-5, 11-5). Despite the loss, the 28-year-old Abhay Singh made history by becoming only the second Indian man to reach an Asian Games singles final, following in the footsteps of the legendary Saurav Ghosal.
Missed Olympic Spot in Heartbreaking Defeat
The loss carries significant weight beyond the medal tally. Because the Olympic qualification spot for the Los Angeles 2028 Games was reserved for the men's singles gold medalist, Abhay's silver ensures he misses out on a direct ticket to the next Olympics. Squash is set to make its highly anticipated debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Abhay's journey to the final was nothing short of remarkable. He secured his place in the championship match by defeating Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan in the semifinals with a decisive 11-3, 12-10, 11-6 victory. His recent form has been exceptional; the Arjuna Award recipient has already won the Indian Open in Mumbai and the Tuanku Muhriz Trophy in Malaysia during a highly productive 2026 season.
India's Medal Tally Continues to Rise
Abhay's silver medal adds to India's growing success at the games. With this addition, India's total tally stands at 31 medals: 4 gold, 13 silver, and 14 bronze, placing the nation at 12th in the overall standings.
Key Stats for Abhay Singh:
- Current PSA Ranking: No. 26
- Career High Ranking: No. 22 (April 2026)
- Major Titles: Indian Open (Mumbai), Tuanku Muhriz Trophy (Malaysia)
- Team Achievement: Gold at 2025 SDAT Squash World Cup
All Eyes on Anahat Singh for Historic Gold
While the men's gold eluded India, the spotlight now shifts to the women's singles final. 18-year-old sensation Anahat Singh is set to face Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam in a battle for glory.
Anahat enters the final following a breathtaking semifinal comeback. Facing Japan's world No. 6 Satomi Watanabe, the teenager rallied from two games down to win 9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3. A victory for Anahat would not only secure India's first individual Asian Games gold in squash but would also clinch the coveted Olympic qualification spot for the women's singles champion.