Abhay Singh wins Asian Games squash silver, misses LA28 Olympics direct quota
Synopsis
Abhay Singh became only the second Indian man to win a squash singles silver at the Asian Games — but the defeat to Malaysia's Eain Yow Ng also cost him the direct LA 2028 Olympic qualification, the first-ever Olympic berth in squash history. It is a landmark result for India, and a heartbreaking one in equal measure.
Key Takeaways
Abhay Singh lost the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 men's squash singles final to Malaysia's Eain Yow Ng 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 on 27 September 2026 .
Abhay is only the second Indian man to win a squash singles silver at the Asian Games, after Saurav Ghosal (2014 and 2023).
The defeat cost Abhay a direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics , where squash will make its debut.
Eain Yow Ng retained his Asian Games title and became the first squash player to qualify for LA 2028 without dropping a game at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Abhay had defended the title he won at Hangzhou 2022 but could not secure the gold this time.
Abhay Singh claimed the men's singles squash silver medal at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on Sunday, 27 September, going down to Malaysia's defending champion Eain Yow Ng by 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 in a 44-minute final at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena. The defeat meant Abhay missed out on a direct qualification berth for the LA 2028 Olympics, where squash is set to make its Games debut.
Historic Achievement for Indian Squash
Despite the loss, Abhay etched his name in Indian squash history. He became only the second Indian man to win a singles silver medal at the Asian Games, after Saurav Ghosal, who claimed silver in both 2014 and 2023. The result also means Abhay was unable to defend the title he had won at Hangzhou 2022, making the occasion a bittersweet one for Indian squash fans.
How the Final Unfolded
The opening game was fiercely competitive. Abhay made the first move with a deft backhand to edge 2-1 ahead, but Eain responded with a clinical four-point burst to lead 6-3. Abhay fought back with a well-disguised backhand winner and a stroke call to level at 8-8, but the Malaysian found two game points at 10-8, eventually taking the opener 11-9 after Abhay saved one.
The second game tilted decisively in the defending champion's favour. After the pair were level at 2-2, a succession of Abhay errors allowed Eain to race away to 7-3. The Malaysian extended his dominance to 10-5 before wrapping up the game and a 2-0 lead in the match.
In the third, Abhay came out with intent, combining a precise backhand slice with a crosscourt kill to move 4-2 ahead and briefly kindle hopes of a fightback. Eain, however, kept his composure — levelling at 4-4, then stringing three consecutive points to lead 7-5. He reached 9-5 and then held five championship points at 10-5. On the final rally, Abhay attempted a slice that struck the tin, handing Eain the title.
Eain Yow Ng Makes Olympic History
The victory gave Eain Yow Ng back-to-back Asian Games men's singles titles — he had beaten India's Saurav Ghosal in the final at the previous edition. More significantly, Eain became the first squash player to secure a direct LA 2028 Olympic qualification, having gone through the entire Aichi-Nagoya competition without dropping a single game — a remarkable feat of consistency at the highest level of Asian squash.
What the Loss Means for Abhay's Olympic Hopes
With the gold medal reserved as the direct Olympic qualification slot, Abhay will now need to pursue the LA 2028 Games berth through the World Squash Federation's alternative qualification pathways. This comes at a pivotal moment — squash's Olympic debut makes these Asian Games results especially consequential for players across the continent. Abhay's silver, while historic, leaves his path to Los Angeles less certain than it could have been.
Point of View
And losing the direct qualification slot is a tangible cost. The margin of the defeat — two games to Eain that were barely contested — also raises questions about whether Abhay's preparation for a high-stakes final was adequate. India's squash programme has produced genuine world-class talent in Ghosal and now Abhay, but converting that talent into gold at the continent's biggest event remains elusive. The road to LA28 is now longer and less predictable.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Asian Games 2026 men's squash singles final?
Malaysia's defending champion Eain Yow Ng beat India's Abhay Singh 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 in a 44-minute final at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena on 27 September 2026. Eain retained his Asian Games title while Abhay settled for the silver medal.
Did Abhay Singh qualify for the LA 2028 Olympics?
No. Abhay missed the direct LA 2028 Olympic qualification, which was tied to winning gold at the Asian Games. He will need to qualify through alternative World Squash Federation pathways for squash's Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
Who is the first squash player to qualify for the LA 2028 Olympics?
Malaysia's Eain Yow Ng became the first squash player to earn a direct LA 2028 Olympic qualification. He achieved this by winning the Asian Games gold without dropping a game throughout the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 competition.
What is the significance of Abhay Singh's silver medal at the Asian Games?
Abhay became only the second Indian man to win a singles silver at the Asian Games squash event, after Saurav Ghosal who won silvers in 2014 and 2023. However, the silver did not carry an Olympic qualification slot.
Who did Eain Yow Ng beat in the previous Asian Games squash final?
At the previous edition of the Asian Games, Eain Yow Ng defeated India's Saurav Ghosal in the men's singles squash final. He then backed that up with a second title at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, beating Abhay Singh.
