Nagoya, September 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India made strong progress in squash at the 2026 Asian Games on Thursday, with six players advancing to the quarterfinal stage across the singles and mixed doubles competitions.
The highlight was in the women’s singles, where third seed and World Cup winner Anahat Singh and Tanvi Khanna booked their places in the last eight to set up an all-Indian quarterfinal.
Anahat needed just 19 minutes to defeat Singapore’s Au Yeong Wai Iynn 3-0 (11-4, 11-5, 11-7). The Indian teenager controlled the match from the start and did not allow her opponent to settle.
Tanvi faced a tougher challenge against another Singaporean, Au Yeong Wai Yhann. After losing the opening game 5-11, she fought back strongly to win the next three 11-4, 11-5 and 13-11 and complete a 3-1 victory.
Anahat and Tanvi will now meet for a place in the semifinals.
India also advanced two players to the men’s singles quarterfinals.
Abhay Singh produced a dominant performance against Sri Lanka’s Ravindu Laksiri, completing a 3-0 victory in 25 minutes. He won 11-5, 11-6, 11-0 and will next face Japan’s Ryunosuke Tsukue.
Veer Chotrani had to fight through a marathon encounter against Malaysia’s Sanjay Jeeva. After the two players split the opening four games, Veer held his nerve in the decider to win 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 15-17, 11-6) after one hour and nine minutes. He will face Pakistan’s Irfan Muhammad in the quarterfinals.
India also progressed in mixed doubles, with experienced pair Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar defeating compatriots Suraj Chand and Shameena Riaz 2-0 (11-7, 11-10).
After taking the opening game, Joshna and Velavan faced a tougher second game. Suraj and Shameena fought back from 7-9 to level the score at 9-9, but the experienced Indian pair held on to close it out 11-10.
Joshna and Velavan, who won bronze at the Asian Championships, will face the Philippines’ David Pelino and Jemyca Aribado in the quarterfinals on Friday.
With all four Indian singles players and the mixed doubles pair reaching the last eight, India have made a strong start to their squash campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.
Squash is also set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
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