Anahat, Abhay lead squash surge — two finals, three medals & Oly spots in sight

Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India enjoyed a remarkable day in squash at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday, with Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh storming into the women’s and men’s singles finals respectively, while the mixed doubles pairing of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar secured a bronze medal at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.The results gave India a shot at two squash gold medals on Sunday, while also putting Anahat and Abhay one victory away from potentially becoming India’s first squash players to secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Asian Games singles champions will earn direct LA28 qualification, subject to the eligibility criteria, including the PSA world ranking requirement at the qualification cut-off.

Squash will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.It made Saturday one of the most productive days for Indian squash at a major continental event, with the country guaranteed three medals and still in contention for two golds.Asian Games Full Coverage | Medal Tally | Schedule

Anahat produces comeback for the ages

The biggest performance of the day came from 18-year-old Anahat, who pulled off one of the finest comebacks of her young career to defeat Japan's world No. 6 Satomi Watanabe 9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3.

The world No. 17 Indian was staring at defeat after dropping the opening two games against the home favourite. Watanabe's variations, changes of pace and sharp angles had kept Anahat under constant pressure.But the teenager changed the complexion of the match in the third game.Trailing 8-10, Anahat saved two match points before producing a remarkable turnaround to win 12-10. She then carried the momentum into the fourth game, winning it 11-6 to level the contest.There was also an anxious moment during the semifinal when Anahat's head collided with Watanabe's shoulder while she attempted to retrieve the ball.

The match was briefly stopped as the Indian received medical attention before returning to continue her fight.In the decider, Anahat gave Watanabe virtually no opportunity to regain control. She attacked with confidence and closed out the game 11-3 to complete a stunning 3-2 victory.The win was also revenge for Anahat, who had lost to Watanabe in another five-game contest earlier this year.Now she stands one victory away from an Asian Games gold medal — and potentially an Olympic ticket.

Abhay follows Anahat into the gold-medal match

Abhay then completed India's singles double by powering past Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan 3-0 in the men's semifinal.The Indian won 11-3, 12-10, 11-6 in a 35-minute contest in which he controlled proceedings for long periods.Abhay made a fast start, racing to a 6-2 lead in the opening game before closing it out 11-3. Irfan pushed him harder in the second, but Abhay held his nerve in the tight moments to take it 12-10.There was no let-up in the third. Abhay maintained his control and closed out the match 11-6 to book his place in the final.Like Anahat, he is now one victory away from gold and a direct route to LA28. The Asian Games are the continental qualifying event for squash, with the men's and women's singles gold medallists earning Olympic qualification subject to the eligibility rules.

Joshna and Velavan add a bronze

India's medal count in squash had already received a boost earlier in the day when Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar secured bronze in mixed doubles.The Indian pair lost a fiercely contested semifinal to Hong Kong's Tang Ming Hong and Lee Ka Yi 1-2 (10-11, 11-2, 10-11).After narrowly losing the opening game, Joshna and Velavan responded emphatically to level the contest by taking the second 11-2. The deciding game again went down to the wire, but the Hong Kong pair held their composure to win 11-10 and advance to the final.

The bronze nevertheless marked another milestone for Joshna. Competing at a record seventh Asian Games, the 40-year-old added another medal to a collection that already included two silver and three bronze medals at the continental showpiece.India had assured itself of the mixed doubles medal after Joshna and Velavan defeated the Philippines' David Pelino and Jemyca Aribado in the quarterfinals on Friday.But Saturday's bigger story was the singles double.With Anahat and Abhay both through to the finals, India now has two chances to win squash gold and potentially secure two historic LA28 Olympic berths.