CM Yogi Hails Joshna & Velavan's Squash Bronze at Asian Games 2026
Synopsis
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath praised Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar for winning the Mixed Doubles squash bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 after a tightly fought semifinal against Hong Kong.
Key Takeaways
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won the Bronze Medal in Mixed Doubles squash at the Asian Games 2026 .
The Indian pair lost a closely fought semifinal against Hong Kong , going 'till the final point.' Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath publicly congratulated the duo on 26 September 2026 .
The result adds to India's overall medal tally at the quadrennial Asian Games.
Joshna Chinappa is one of India's most experienced squash players at the continental and international level.
India added another medal to its Asian Games 2026 tally the hard way — through a gruelling mixed doubles squash semifinal that went down to the wire. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday, 26 September 2026 congratulated Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar for securing the Bronze Medal in the Mixed Doubles squash event, saluting what he called their 'determination and fighting spirit.'
A semifinal that refused to be easy
The bronze did not come gift-wrapped. Chinappa and Senthilkumar faced Hong Kong in the semifinal in a closely contested match that, by CM Yogi's account, stretched 'till the final point.' That kind of edge-of-the-seat finish is the signature of elite squash — a sport played in a glass-walled box where momentum can flip on a single rally. The duo could not advance to the gold-medal match, but the bronze they secured is a genuine podium finish on Asia's biggest multi-sport stage.
Joshna Chinappa: India's most decorated squash voice on the continental stage
Joshna Chinappa is among the most experienced names in Indian squash, having represented the country across multiple editions of the Asian Games and on the international tour. Her longevity in a physically demanding sport speaks to both elite fitness and tactical intelligence. Velavan Senthilkumar brings singles and doubles pedigree at the Asian level, and the two together form a formidable mixed doubles unit capable of unsettling higher-ranked opponents.
Why this medal matters beyond the podium
Squash is not cricket. Public recognition of podium finishes in the sport — especially from senior elected leaders — matters for the ecosystem: sponsorships, wildcard selections, and the quiet confidence of the next generation of club players watching from the sidelines. CM Yogi's post, ending with 'Jai Hind!' (Long live India!), reflects a pattern of India's political leadership using large platforms to amplify non-cricket sporting achievement. Each such acknowledgement is a small but tangible signal that the medal conversation in India is slowly broadening.
Point of View
Which requires gender-equal partnership, also lends the milestone a symbolic dimension that politicians find easy to champion publicly. At a time when India's Asian Games medal diplomacy is closely watched, each podium finish — however hard-won — becomes a data point in the larger narrative of sporting India punching above its weight.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the squash mixed doubles bronze at Asian Games 2026?
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won the Bronze Medal in the Mixed Doubles squash event at the Asian Games 2026, representing India.
Who did India face in the squash mixed doubles semifinal at Asian Games 2026?
India faced Hong Kong in a closely fought semifinal, with the match reportedly going 'till the final point' before India's exit into the bronze-medal position.
Why did India receive a bronze instead of competing for gold in squash?
In most Asian Games squash formats, losing semifinalists are awarded the bronze medal rather than playing a third-place match, meaning India's semifinal loss to Hong Kong automatically secured them bronze.
Who is Joshna Chinappa?
Joshna Chinappa is one of India's most decorated squash players, with a long career representing India at the Asian Games and on the international circuit in both singles and doubles events.
What did CM Yogi Adityanath say about the squash bronze medal?
CM Yogi Adityanath praised the duo's 'determination and fighting spirit,' calling it a 'commendable performance on the Asian stage' and signing off with 'Jai Hind!'
