CM Majhi Hails Joshna, Velavan's Bronze at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar on winning the Mixed Doubles Squash bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, praising their skill and determination.
Key Takeaways
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won the Bronze Medal in Mixed Doubles Squash at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi posted congratulations on 26 September 2026 , calling the win a source of 'immense pride to the nation.' Chinappa is a seasoned Indian squash veteran with multiple multi-sport Games appearances; Senthilkumar is an active PSA World Tour competitor.
The Asian Games 2026 features over 40 disciplines under the Olympic Council of Asia programme.
The result keeps India's squash ambitions in focus as the country builds toward the 2028 Olympics cycle .
A squash court in Aichi-Nagoya just produced one of India's proudest moments at the Asian Games 2026 — and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was among the first to salute it. On Saturday, 26 September 2026, Majhi took to X to congratulate Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar on claiming the Bronze Medal in Mixed Doubles Squash, calling their achievement a source of 'immense pride to the nation.'
From national courts to an Asian podium
Joshna Chinappa is one of India's most decorated squash players, a veteran of multiple Asian Games and Commonwealth Games campaigns who has built her career pushing the sport into the national spotlight. Velavan Senthilkumar, active on the PSA World Tour and a regular in India's doubles and team formats, partnered her to earn a place on the podium in the mixed doubles draw — one of squash's most tactically demanding disciplines.
Together, their bronze adds to a slow but steady arc: Indian squash punching into medal conversations at Asia's biggest multi-sport stage, backed by national federation programmes and state-level academies that have worked to broaden the country's medal prospects beyond its traditional strongholds.
Why a squash bronze resonates beyond the sport
Squash rarely commands primetime attention in India — but every podium finish at an Asian Games chips away at that. CM Majhi's post, hashtagged #Cheer4Bharat and #AsianGames2026, reflects a wider pattern among Indian state leaders of amplifying niche-sport victories, helping build cultural recognition that feeds the pipeline of future talent and funding.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games spans over 40 disciplines under the Olympic Council of Asia banner, and India's squash bronze in mixed doubles is the kind of result that keeps the sport in state sports-authority conversations as the country builds toward the 2028 Olympics cycle.
Chinappa and Senthilkumar have shown that fighting spirit — the exact phrase Majhi used — is not metaphor. It is the margin that separates a medal from a near-miss on a squash court, where rallies are won and lost in tenths of a second. India's mixed doubles pair found that margin when it counted.
Point of View
Broadening India's medal identity beyond cricket and athletics. Squash has long operated on the fringes of mainstream sports policy despite consistent individual excellence from players like Chinappa. A mixed doubles bronze at an Asian Games carries signal value: it demonstrates that doubles formats, which demand cohesion and tactical range, are now competitive arenas for Indian players. As India maps its roadmap to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, each podium finish in a non-traditional discipline strengthens the case for structured investment in racquet sports infrastructure.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar?
Joshna Chinappa is one of India's top professional squash players with a long career spanning multiple Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Velavan Senthilkumar is an Indian squash player active on the PSA World Tour, experienced in team and doubles formats for India.
What medal did India win in squash at Asian Games 2026?
India won the Bronze Medal in the Mixed Doubles Squash event at the Asian Games 2026, claimed by the pair of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, under the banner of the Olympic Council of Asia, featuring over 40 sports disciplines.
Why did Odisha CM Mohan Majhi congratulate squash players?
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi posted a congratulatory message on X on 26 September 2026, hailing the mixed doubles bronze as a source of national pride and wishing the players further success — consistent with the practice of state leaders recognising Indian athletes at major international events.
Is squash part of the 2028 Olympics?
Squash has been seeking inclusion in the Olympic programme, and strong performances at the Asian Games 2026 contribute to India's preparations and visibility as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics cycle begins.
