Sivasangari's LA28 Olympic ticket adds extra motivation in gold defence

NAGOYA: National player S. Sivasangari admits the automatic qualification spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA28) has given her extra motivation as she bids to defend her gold medal.

The world No. 5 said both targets were equally important, as representing Malaysia has always been her top priority.

Squash will make its Olympic debut at LA28, with the men's and women's singles champions at this year's Asian Games earning automatic qualification for the world's biggest sporting event.

"I think both are important. Representing Malaysia has always been something very significant to me.

"In the previous two editions, I competed at the Asian Games without an Olympic qualification spot on offer, but they were still very important to me. This year, there is additional motivation to secure the Olympic ticket," Sivasangari said after a training session at Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena on Monday.

"It also brings a little pressure because everyone wants to win a medal and earn a place at the Olympics.

"However, I need to focus on my preparations, take it one match at a time and do what needs to be done."

Sivasangari arrives in Aichi-Nagoya as the defending champion after winning the women's singles gold medal at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, where she also helped Malaysia claim gold in the women's team event.

The 27-year-old said her intensive preparations during the summer training period, coupled with appearances at two PSA tournaments in London and Qatar earlier this month, have given her added confidence ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya challenge.

Sivasangari reached the semi-finals of both tournaments, further underlining her positive form ahead of her bid to retain the Asian Games title.

"I spent almost two challenging months training in Prague before competing in London and Qatar. I felt that my performance improved in Qatar and I was able to regain my rhythm," she added.

"I'm still fresh, excited to compete in my third Asian Games and ready to fight."

Sivasangari, who received a first-round bye, is scheduled to begin her campaign in the second round against the winner of the match between China's Liu Zi Yi and Sri Lanka's Veera Samiyel Chanithma Sinaly on Thursday.

Japan's second seed Satomi Watanabe is expected to be one of Sivasangari's main challengers in the battle for the women's singles gold medal.