Rajnath Singh hails Chinappa, Velavan's Asian Games bronze
Synopsis
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar on clinching a Mixed Doubles Squash bronze at the Asian Games 2026, calling their performance commendable and expressing hope that they continue to bring honour to the nation.
Key Takeaways
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won the Mixed Doubles Squash bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 .
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the pair on Saturday, 26 September 2026 .
Singh described the win as adding 'another medal' to India's tally, indicating prior Indian podium finishes at the Games.
Joshna Chinappa is a veteran Indian squash champion with a long history of Asian Games participation.
Velavan Senthilkumar is a doubles specialist who has represented India at regional and international competitions.
India has consistently fielded squash teams at Asian Games editions, including 2018 and 2022 , building a steady medal tradition in the discipline.
A veteran who has carried Indian squash on her shoulders for two decades, and a doubles specialist who has steadily built his international presence — Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar stepped off the court at the Asian Games 2026 with a Mixed Doubles Squash bronze medal, and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was quick to mark the moment.
Singh posted his congratulations on Saturday, 26 September 2026, writing that the pair had 'added another medal to India's tally' and expressing hope that they 'continue to bring laurels to the nation and make the Tricolour soar higher.' The phrasing — 'another medal' — signals that India's squash contingent has been punching consistently at this edition of the Games.
Chinappa's long road to Asian Games bronze
Joshna Chinappa is among the most decorated names in Indian squash history, a multiple-time national champion whose career has spanned successive Asian Games campaigns going back years. She has competed at the highest levels of the Asian circuit, and each medal she claims at this stage of her career carries the weight of a legacy well in the making. For a player of her vintage to still be on the podium at a continental Games is, by any measure, a remarkable achievement.
Velavan Senthilkumar has carved his reputation primarily in the doubles format, representing India at regional and international competitions. Pairing the experience of Chinappa with Velavan's doubles nous proved to be a formula that delivered under pressure.
Squash's steady rise in India's Asian Games story
Squash is not a sport that dominates India's headline medal count — but it has maintained a quiet, steady presence across successive Asian Games editions, including 2018 and 2022, with Indian players claiming bronze and higher finishes in various categories. That consistency is itself a story: a discipline once considered peripheral has become a reliable contributor to India's multi-sport contingent.
Senior ministers congratulating athletes on social media during a major Games has become a fixture of India's sporting culture, a visible signal that podium finishes in less-spotlighted sports receive national recognition. For squash players who rarely see their names in marquee headlines, that acknowledgement matters.
With the 2026 Asian Games still ongoing, India's overall tally continues to grow — and the question now is whether the squash team has more to offer before the curtain falls.
Point of View
A discipline that rarely commands prime-time attention, ministerial visibility serves a practical function: it builds the case for continued institutional support and funding. Chinappa's continued competitiveness at the Games level also underscores the gains India's squash ecosystem has made over two decades. The mixed doubles format, in particular, has become a vehicle for experienced players to extend their international careers meaningfully.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Mixed Doubles Squash bronze at the Asian Games 2026?
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won the Mixed Doubles Squash bronze medal for India at the Asian Games 2026 .
Where are the Asian Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Games 2026 are hosted by Japan , with squash among the disciplines featuring Indian participation.
Who is Joshna Chinappa?
Joshna Chinappa is a veteran Indian squash player and multiple-time national champion who has represented India at several Asian Games and international competitions over a long career.
Who is Velavan Senthilkumar?
Velavan Senthilkumar is an Indian squash player specialising in doubles events, who has competed at regional and international levels representing India.
What did Rajnath Singh say about the squash bronze medal?
Rajnath Singh offered his 'heartiest congratulations' to both athletes, calling their performance 'commendable' and expressing hope that they 'continue to bring laurels to the nation and make the Tricolour soar higher.'
