Some milestones matter more than the color of the medal. Anahat Singh’s Asian Games 2026 campaign ended in silver, but the achievement behind it makes her a genuine trailblazer for Indian squash — becoming the first Indian woman ever to reach a singles final at the Games.
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How the Final Unfolded Anahat Singh?
Anahat came up against Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam, the world No. 5, top seed, and reigning champion from the 2023 Hangzhou Games. Sivasangari dominated from the start, taking control of the rallies and moving efficiently around the court to seal an 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 victory in just 27 minutes at Nagoya’s Kinjo Futo Arena. Despite showing more resistance in the third game, Anahat couldn’t convert her chances, allowing Sivasangari to retain her title.
The Road to the Final Was Anything But Easy
Getting to the final required Anahat to fight through a genuinely tough draw. She defeated Singapore’s Wai Lynn Au Yeong in the Round of 16, edged past compatriot Tanvi Khanna in the quarterfinals, and then delivered a stunning comeback against Japan’s world No. 6 Satomi Watanabe in the semifinal — recovering from two games down and saving two match points before closing out the win.
Anahat Singh’s Asian Games Journey at a Glance
| Edition | Result | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Hangzhou | Bronze | Women’s team event |
| 2023 Hangzhou | Bronze | Mixed doubles |
| 2026 Nagoya | Silver | Women’s singles (historic first) |
Why This Result Is a Landmark for Indian Squash?
At just 18, Anahat already holds three Asian Games medals, an extraordinary tally for someone so young. Earlier this year, she also became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship, reinforcing her rapid rise in the sport. Her run to the final also carries added significance alongside Abhay Singh, who reached the men’s singles final in the same edition — together marking India’s first appearance by two individual squash finalists at a single Asian Games.
While the gold remains elusive for now, Anahat’s performance in Nagoya signals a new era for Indian squash, one where competing for the top spot on the biggest stages is becoming a realistic expectation rather than a distant hope.
For more background on the sport itself, check the Squash (sport) page on Wikipedia.
For more Asian Games 2026 coverage and India’s medal updates, check out ongoing sports news at TechnoSports.
FAQs
Q1: Who did Anahat Singh lose to in the Asian Games 2026 final?
She lost to Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam, the top seed and reigning Asian Games champion.
Q2: Why is Anahat Singh’s silver medal historic?
She became the first Indian woman to reach an Asian Games squash singles final.
