Veer Chotrani Sets Sights on Asian Games Gold and Olympic Qualification

Chotrani's Ambitious Goals for the Asian Games

Indian squash athlete Veer Chotrani is determined to clinch gold at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. Achieving this feat could also make him the first Indian squash player to secure a direct spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Squash will debut as an Olympic sport in 2028, with the champions in both men's and women's singles at the Asian Games earning direct qualification for the LA Olympics. Currently ranked World No. 38, Chotrani feels the weight of history as he prepares for this significant event.

Chotrani expressed his excitement, stating, "It’s fantastic that squash is finally recognized as an Olympic sport. This opportunity allows many players to aim for the Olympics, and the Asian Games will determine who qualifies. I’m thrilled to be among those in contention, and I look forward to seeing how it unfolds in the coming months."

The 24-year-old from Mumbai has been training intensively for the Asian Games over the past two months, initially in the United States and now in Europe, focusing on peak performance for the tournament.

He shared, "I’ve been preparing for two months, first in the US and now in Europe. It’s been a productive period, and I’m committed to building my skills not just for the Asian Games but for the entire season ahead. I’m eager for the competition."

The squash events at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are scheduled from September 23 to October 2 at the Nagoya Kinjo-Futo Arena, featuring men's and women's singles, team events, and mixed doubles.

Chotrani, whose father Manish Chotrani was a two-time national champion, has established himself as a prominent figure on the PSA Tour. He believes Indian squash is thriving, with notable achievements at both senior and junior levels.

He remarked, "The current state of Indian squash is promising. We’ve seen impressive performances on the PSA Tour, and our juniors have also excelled recently."

Chotrani highlighted Anahat Singh’s remarkable World Junior title as a significant milestone for Indian squash, stating, "Anahat’s victory was a historic moment for our sport, and the boys also secured a bronze medal in the world junior team event, showcasing our potential."

He noted the increasing depth in Indian men's squash, with four players consistently ranked in the world’s top 50.

Chotrani added, "Anahat is already in the top 20, and we have four male players who have maintained their positions in the top 50 for the past year and a half. This is a very encouraging time for our sport, and we have more support than ever, positioning India as a strong contender in squash events."

He believes Anahat’s success can motivate a new generation of squash players in India, stating, "Her achievement has inspired many to take up squash. She is poised to make significant contributions to our sport in the years ahead."

Having trained alongside Anahat, Chotrani has witnessed her dedication firsthand. He remarked, "I’ve seen her commitment and hard work, which is inspiring not only for the youth but also for her teammates who train with her."

Chotrani concluded, "I wasn’t surprised by her World Juniors win; she’s clearly ahead of her peers in junior squash, which speaks volumes about her talent. It’s an incredible accomplishment."

As the Asian Games approach, Chotrani is focused on translating his rigorous training into a performance that could secure his place in history as India’s first squash Olympian.