Nagoya, September 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s Abhay Singh settled for the silver medal after Malaysia’s defending champion Eain Yow Ng beat him 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 in the men’s singles squash final at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on Sunday.
Abhay became only the second Indian man after Saurav Ghosal, who won singles silver in 2014 and 2023, to claim a silver medal in the event. However, the defeat in the final meant Abhay missed out on direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where squash will make its debut.
The 44-minute contest at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena was closely fought in the opening game before Eain gradually took control.
Both players engaged in lengthy rallies early on, with Abhay taking a brief 2-1 lead. Eain responded with a four-point run to move 6-3 ahead, but Abhay fought back to level the score at 8-8 with a well-disguised backhand winner and a stroke call.
Eain secured two game points at 10-8. Abhay saved one, but the Malaysian closed out the opening game 11-9.
The second game quickly shifted in Eain’s favour. After the players were level at 2-2, a series of errors from Abhay allowed the defending champion to move 7-3 ahead. Eain then reached five game points at 10-5 before taking the game and a 2-0 lead.
Abhay made a promising start to the third game, moving 4-2 ahead after combining a precise backhand slice with a crosscourt kill.
Eain remained composed, drawing level at 4-4 before producing three successive points to take a 7-5 lead. Two more points took him to 9-5, leaving Abhay needing a strong response.
Eain reached five championship points at 10-5 and needed only one opportunity to close out the match. Abhay attempted a slice on the final rally, but the ball hit the tin, handing Eain the title.
The victory saw Eain retain his Asian Games men’s singles title and secure qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. He also became the first squash player to qualify for the Games without dropping a game at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
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