Nadda hails Joshna & Velavan's bronze in Asian Games squash
Synopsis
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda praised Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar after the duo secured a bronze medal in Mixed Doubles Squash at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, following a hard-fought semifinal.
Key Takeaways
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won bronze in Mixed Doubles Squash at Asian Games 2026 .
The medal was secured after a hard-fought semifinal loss at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
Union Health Minister J.
Nadda publicly congratulated the pair on X on September 26, 2026 .
Joshna Chinappa is a veteran of multiple Asian Games cycles and one of India's most decorated squash players.
Velavan Senthilkumar has been active on the PSA World Tour and is a regular member of the national squash team.
The result adds to India's ongoing tradition of securing squash medals at the Asian Games.
Bronze, but not bowed. Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar walked off the squash court at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a medal around their necks after a hard-fought mixed doubles semifinal defeat — and Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda made sure the country paused to notice.
Nadda posted on X on September 26, 2026, calling the result 'a commendable Bronze for Team India' and lauding the pair's 'strong effort on the Asian Games stage.' The message was brief, warm, and pointed — a senior Cabinet minister using his platform to put two squash players in the national spotlight at a moment when racket sports can easily be drowned out by cricket's roar.
Joshna Chinappa: a veteran who keeps showing up
Joshna Chinappa is one of Indian squash's most decorated names — a player with multiple international medals who has represented the country across successive Asian Games cycles. Her longevity at the elite level is itself a story: she has been the face of Indian women's squash for well over a decade, consistently converting national hope into continental hardware.
Velavan Senthilkumar's rise on the regional stage
Velavan Senthilkumar has built his credentials through PSA World Tour events and a steady presence in national team competitions. Pairing him with Chinappa in the mixed doubles format gave India both experience and athleticism — a combination that carried them all the way to the final four at Aichi-Nagoya.
Squash's quiet climb in India's Asian Games tally
Squash rarely dominates the medal-count conversation, but it delivers. The sport has been a reliable contributor to India's Asian Games haul — often securing bronze in doubles formats even when gold proves elusive. Every medal in a discipline outside cricket or athletics matters in a country recalibrating its identity as a multi-sport nation. This bronze adds another data point to that ongoing argument.
The Asian Games 2026 continue, and the Indian squash contingent's campaign serves as a reminder that depth in racket sports is growing — one hard-fought semifinal at a time.
Point of View
Not just isolated talent. The mixed doubles format, pairing a veteran champion with an emerging PSA-circuit competitor, signals a generational bridge-building strategy within the national programme. As India broadens its sporting identity ahead of future global multi-sport bids, moments like this bronze — and the ministerial acknowledgment that follows — are small but meaningful building blocks.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won bronze in squash at Asian Games 2026?
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won the bronze medal in Mixed Doubles Squash for India at the Asian Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Who is Joshna Chinappa?
Joshna Chinappa is one of India's most celebrated squash players, with a long international career that includes multiple Asian Games appearances and continental medals.
Who is Velavan Senthilkumar?
Velavan Senthilkumar is an Indian squash player who competes on the PSA World Tour and represents India in national team events, including the Asian Games.
Why did J. P. Nadda post about the squash result?
As a senior Union Minister and BJP president, J. P. Nadda regularly uses social media to acknowledge Indian sporting achievements, and he congratulated the pair after their bronze medal win at Asian Games 2026.
