Abhay Singh Falls Short in Asian Games Squash Final, Secures Silver Medal

Abhay Singh's pursuit of an individual gold medal in squash at the Asian Games ended in disappointment as he lost to Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow, securing a silver medal instead. This defeat also meant he missed out on Olympic qualification for the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Games. Abhay's impressive journey included a semifinal victory over Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan and notable achievements throughout his career. The focus now shifts to 18-year-old Anahat Singh, who aims to make history for India in the women's singles final. A win for her would not only mark India's first individual gold in squash but also secure an Olympic spot.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 27, 2026, 14:03 IST

Abhay Singh's Final Match Overview

India's quest for an individual gold medal in squash at the Asian Games remains unfulfilled as Abhay Singh faced defeat against Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow. The match concluded with scores of 9-11, 5-11, and 5-11, marking a straight-game loss for Abhay in the men's singles final held on Sunday. Ranked 26th globally, he struggled to keep pace with the consistent performance of the Malaysian player, who is ranked 17th in the world. This victory allowed Eain Yow to successfully defend his title, as reported by ESPN. While Abhay earned a silver medal, he also missed the opportunity for Olympic qualification, which is reserved for the men's singles gold medalist, especially significant as squash will debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Despite a strong start in the third game, Abhay could not sustain his early momentum, allowing Eain Yow to dominate and secure the win. This silver medal marks India's 31st medal at the current Asian Games, contributing to a total of four golds, 13 silvers, and 14 bronzes. As of now, India ranks 12th in the overall medal standings.

Highlights of Abhay Singh's Career

The 28-year-old Abhay Singh reached the final after a notable semifinal victory over Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan, winning with scores of 11-3, 12-10, and 11-6. He is only the second Indian male squash player to reach an Asian Games singles final, following Saurav Ghosal. Abhay, who received the Arjuna Award in 2024, achieved a career-high PSA ranking of No. 22 in April 2026 and currently holds the No. 26 position. His 2026 season has been impressive, highlighted by winning the Indian Open in Mumbai and securing his third Tuanku Muhriz Trophy title in Malaysia. Additionally, he was part of the Indian team that clinched gold at the 2025 SDAT Squash World Cup in Chennai.

Focus Shifts to Anahat Singh

With Abhay's loss, attention now turns to 18-year-old Anahat Singh, who is set to compete against Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam in the women's singles final later on Sunday. Anahat made headlines with a stunning comeback in her semifinal match, overcoming a two-game deficit to defeat Japan's world No. 6, Satomi Watanabe, with scores of 9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6, and 11-3. A win for Anahat would not only secure India's first individual gold medal in squash at the Asian Games but also grant her the Olympic qualification spot available for the women's singles champion.