CM Samrat Choudhary Hails Joshna, Velavan's Asian Games Squash Bronze
Synopsis
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary praised Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar for winning a squash mixed doubles bronze at Asian Games 2026, calling it an inspiration for India's young athletes.
Key Takeaways
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won a bronze medal in squash mixed doubles at Asian Games 2026 .
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary publicly congratulated both athletes on 26 September 2026 via X.
Chinappa is a multiple-time Indian national squash champion with a long record of Asian Games appearances since at least 2014 .
India's mixed doubles focus reflects a strategic push to expand medal opportunities beyond individual squash events.
The Khelo India programme, launched in 2017 , has supported grassroots development across sports including squash.
A bronze medal in squash mixed doubles — and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was among the first political voices to mark the moment. On Saturday, 26 September 2026, Choudhary took to X to congratulate Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar on winning India's latest honour at the Asian Games 2026.
Posting in Hindi, Choudhary wrote: 'मिक्स्ड डबल्स में तिरंगे की बढ़ी शान' — 'The tricolour's pride has grown in mixed doubles.' He described the achievement as one that would inspire the country's young athletes to pursue excellence on the field.
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar's bronze in context
Joshna Chinappa is India's most decorated squash player — a multiple-time national champion with a long record of Asian Games appearances stretching back to at least 2014. At Asian Games 2026, she paired with Velavan Senthilkumar in the mixed doubles draw, a format India has increasingly targeted to widen its medal prospects beyond individual events. Their bronze adds another podium finish to a discipline where Indian squash has been quietly building a presence across successive editions of the Games.
Why mixed doubles has become India's squash frontier
Indian squash has historically punched hardest in singles, but the mixed doubles format offers a tactical opportunity: combining Chinappa's experience and court intelligence with a strong male partner creates a pairing that is difficult to template against. The strategy mirrors a broader national push — reflected in programmes like the Khelo India initiative, launched in 2017 — to multiply medal opportunities across team and combination events at multi-sport tournaments.
Political congratulations for international medals have become a consistent feature of India's sports culture, with leaders across parties using platforms like X to amplify athletes' achievements and signal state-level investment in the sporting ecosystem. Choudhary's message closed with a wish for 'a bright future and continuous success' — 'उज्ज्वल भविष्य एवं निरंतर सफलता के लिए अनंत मंगलकामनाएं' — a standard but sincere sign-off in that tradition.
For India's squash community, the real measure will be what comes next: deeper runs in Asian Championships and world-level doubles events, where this pair's chemistry — forged under Asian Games pressure — could carry real weight.
Point of View
And political amplification of those results reinforces the funding logic. Choudhary's framing around youth inspiration also signals that sports diplomacy is now a standard item in the Bihar BJP's public communications toolkit.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar?
Joshna Chinappa is India's most accomplished squash player, a multiple-time national champion with Asian Games experience since 2014. Velavan Senthilkumar is an Indian squash player who competes in international doubles events and paired with Chinappa at Asian Games 2026.
What medal did India win in squash mixed doubles at Asian Games 2026?
India won a bronze medal in the squash mixed doubles event at Asian Games 2026, claimed by the pair of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar.
What did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary say about the squash bronze?
Choudhary posted on X saying the tricolour's pride had grown in mixed doubles and that the achievement would inspire young Indian athletes to pursue excellence in sport. He extended his congratulations and best wishes to both players.
What is the Khelo India programme and how does it relate to squash?
Khelo India is a Government of India initiative launched in 2017 to support grassroots sports development across disciplines, including squash. It provides funding and infrastructure to nurture talent from a young age.
Where are Asian Games 2026 being held?
Asian Games 2026 is a multi-sport event following the 2023 Hangzhou edition. Specific host-city details were not included in the post, but the competition includes squash among its disciplines.
