Abhay Singh wins squash silver at Asian Games 2026, CM Yogi hails feat
Synopsis
Abhay Singh's silver in the men's singles squash final at Asian Games 2026 is only the second such medal for an Indian man — after Saurav Ghosal — in the event's history. Facing a Malaysian champion who didn't drop a game all tournament and who has now qualified for LA 2028 Olympics without a game loss, Abhay's near-run tells a bigger story about how far Indian squash has come at the continental level.
Key Takeaways
Abhay Singh won the silver medal in men's singles squash at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on 27 September .
He lost the final 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 to defending champion Eain Yow Ng of Malaysia in 44 minutes .
Abhay is only the second Indian man, after Saurav Ghosal , to win a singles silver at the Asian Games.
Eain Yow Ng retained his Asian Games title and became the first squash player to qualify for the LA 2028 Olympics without dropping a game at Aichi-Nagoya.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath congratulated Abhay on X , praising his 'fighting spirit and composure.'
Indian squash player Abhay Singh claimed the silver medal in the men's singles event at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on 27 September, becoming only the second Indian man in history to achieve the feat at the continental showpiece. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was among the first to congratulate him, praising Singh's fighting spirit and composure throughout the campaign.
The Final: How It Unfolded
Abhay fell to defending champion Eain Yow Ng of Malaysia in the final at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena, losing 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 in a 44-minute contest. The Indian started brightly, fighting back from 6-3 down to level at 8-8 in the opening game, but Eain held his nerve to clinch it 11-9. The Malaysian then tightened his grip in the second game, pulling away to a 7-3 lead before sealing it 11-5. Abhay briefly threatened in the third, taking a 4-2 advantage, but Eain reversed the momentum to win the final game 11-5 and retain his title.
A Historic Silver for Indian Squash
Abhay's runner-up finish makes him only the second Indian man, after Saurav Ghosal, to win a singles silver medal at the Asian Games. Ghosal had reached the final at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, where he too lost to Eain Yow Ng — making Sunday's result a repeat of that title clash, with the Malaysian retaining dominance over Indian squash's top singles contenders.
Notably, Eain's dominant run through the Aichi-Nagoya edition also saw him become the first squash player to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics without dropping a single game at these Games — underlining the scale of the opponent Abhay faced.
CM Yogi's Reaction
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took to X to applaud the performance. 'Congratulations to Abhay Singh on securing a Silver Medal in the Men's Singles Squash event at the Asian Games 2026. His fighting spirit and composure throughout the tournament deserve appreciation,' he wrote. The post reflected broader acknowledgement of Abhay's achievement as a significant milestone for Indian squash at the elite level.
What This Means for Indian Squash
Abhay's silver adds a landmark result to India's growing squash pedigree at continental competitions. The performance builds on Ghosal's pioneering run and signals that Indian men's squash is consistently capable of challenging Asia's best in major finals. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon, the result could shape India's squash qualification strategy. All eyes will now be on whether Abhay's Asian Games run translates into Olympic momentum over the next two years.
Point of View
But the broader picture is one of persistent Malaysian dominance — Eain Yow Ng has now defeated India's best squash singles players in back-to-back Asian Games finals, at Hangzhou and Aichi-Nagoya. Indian squash has the talent to reach continental finals but has yet to crack the ceiling at the very top. With LA 2028 two years away and Eain already confirmed as an Olympic entrant, the gap India needs to close is known and quantifiable. Whether the sporting infrastructure and match exposure follow through is the real question that Singh's commendable silver quietly raises.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Abhay Singh perform in the Asian Games 2026 squash final?
Abhay Singh lost the men's singles squash final at Asian Games 2026 to Malaysia's Eain Yow Ng by 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 in 44 minutes, claiming the silver medal. He fought back from 6-3 down in the first game to level at 8-8 before the Malaysian pulled away.
Who is Abhay Singh and why is this silver medal historic?
Abhay Singh is an Indian professional squash player who became only the second Indian man to win a singles silver medal at the Asian Games, after Saurav Ghosal. The achievement underlines the steady rise of Indian men's squash at continental level.
What did UP CM Yogi Adityanath say about Abhay Singh's silver?
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath posted on X congratulating Abhay Singh, writing: 'His fighting spirit and composure throughout the tournament deserve appreciation.' The post came shortly after the final result.
Who is Eain Yow Ng and what record did he set at Asian Games 2026?
Eain Yow Ng is Malaysia's defending Asian Games squash champion who retained his title at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. He also became the first squash player to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics without dropping a single game at these Games.
What is the significance of this result for Indian squash ahead of LA 2028?
Abhay's silver adds to India's growing Asian Games squash pedigree and raises the profile of the sport ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. It also sets a benchmark for India's Olympic qualification efforts in squash over the next two years.
