India's Teqball Journey at 2026 Asian Games Concludes Without Medals

India's Teqball Campaign Falls Short

India's quest for medals in teqball at the 2026 Asian Games came to an end on Sunday, as Quimcy Dsouza faced challenges in two bronze medal matches. The athlete acknowledged that the unfamiliar pressure of competing on a continental stage affected her performance.

In her first attempt, Dsouza narrowly lost 2-0 (12-11, 12-11) to Japan's Yuina Sakamoto in the women's singles bronze medal contest. Later, she teamed up with Mohamed Anas Imran Beg for the mixed doubles bronze playoff, but the duo was defeated 0-2 (12-9, 12-6) by Vietnam's Hoang Minh Tan Nguyen and Gia Nghi Trinh.

Dsouza Reflects on Pressure and Pride

Speaking to Olympics.com, Dsouza expressed, "Experiencing such pressure for the first time was a challenge for me. We are not accustomed to this level of attention, as teqball was not widely covered before, and suddenly, everyone is focused on us."

She shared her pride in representing India, stating, "Wearing the national jersey has been a lifelong dream. Many athletes aspire to don the Indian colors, and the child in me feels immense pride today. I still can't believe I'm wearing it. India looks great on me, and I aim to give my best to keep this honor for as long as possible."

Teqball's Historic Asian Games Introduction

Teqball, a unique sport that combines elements of football and table tennis on a curved table, made its debut at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. India participated with three athletes: Quimcy Dsouza, Mohamed Anas Imran Beg, and Declan Marshall Gonsalves.