Asian Games 2026: Quimcy Dsouza loses Teqball semifinal, targets historic bronze
Synopsis
Quimcy Dsouza's Asian Games 2026 debut has been nothing short of historic — and it isn't over yet. Having topped her group with a seeded scalp, the 24-year-old Indian lost a tight Teqball semifinal to Indonesia's Ima Sumaya after blowing a 4-1 lead in the decider. Sunday's bronze match against World No. 7 Yuina Sakamoto is India's shot at a first-ever Teqball medal at the Asian Games.
Key Takeaways
Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza lost 1-2 to Indonesia's Ima Sumaya in the Teqball women's singles semifinal at Asian Games 2026 on 19 September .
Dsouza will play for bronze on Sunday against World No.
7 Yuina Sakamoto of Japan.
A victory would deliver India its first-ever Teqball medal at the Asian Games.
Dsouza topped Group A with wins over top-seeded Sakamoto and Cambodia's Koemyean DY, bypassing the quarterfinals.
Teqball is making its Asian Games debut at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 , with five medal events on the programme.
India's Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza saw her remarkable Teqball run at the Asian Games 2026 end in the women's singles semifinal on Saturday, 19 September, as she fell 1-2 to Indonesia's Ima Sumaya at the Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center in Nagoya, Japan. The 24-year-old, competing in her maiden Asian Games appearance, now turns her attention to a bronze medal match on Sunday — a win there would hand India its first-ever Teqball medal at the continental showpiece.
How the Semifinal Unfolded
Dsouza began with authority, comfortably taking the opening set 12-7. Sumaya, however, refused to fold — clawing back from an early deficit in the second set to clinch it 12-9 and level the contest. In the decider, the Indian made a strong start once more, racing into a 4-1 lead. But Sumaya produced a commanding turnaround, eventually winning the third set 12-7 to seal her place in the final, leaving Dsouza to settle for a bronze medal shot.
Dsouza's Route to the Last Four
The Indian had entered the semifinals in impressive form, having topped Group A without dropping a match. Her campaign opened with a stunning 2-1 win over top-seeded Japan's Yuina Sakamoto — losing the first set 10-12 before winning the second 12-11 and the decider 13-11. She followed that with a clinical straight-sets victory over Cambodia's Koemyean DY, winning 12-9, 12-7. Topping the group earned her a direct passage to the semifinals, bypassing the quarterfinal round entirely.
What's at Stake in the Bronze Match
Dsouza will face World No. 7 Yuina Sakamoto of Japan in the bronze medal match on Sunday — the same opponent she defeated in the group stage. A victory would be a landmark moment for Indian Teqball, delivering the country's first medal in the sport at the Asian Games. The rematch carries particular significance given Dsouza's earlier upset over the world-ranked Japanese player.
India's Mixed Doubles Campaign
Beyond the women's singles, Dsouza also featured in the mixed doubles alongside Mohamed Anas Imran Beg. The Indian pair defeated the Philippines' Jhoana Abulencia and Prince Agustin in their Group A opener, adding another dimension to India's debut Teqball outing at the Games.
Teqball Makes Its Asian Games Debut
Teqball, invented in Hungary, blends elements of football with a curved table, drawing comparisons to freestyle football and sepak takraw. The sport is making its Asian Games debut at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, with five medal events on offer — men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles. India's early success through Dsouza underlines the country's growing footprint in emerging Olympic-recognised sports.
Point of View
A sport that most Indian sports administrators had scarcely heard of five years ago. The bronze match is a genuine opportunity, not a consolation — Dsouza has already beaten Sakamoto once, and that head-to-head record matters. If she converts, it will force the question of whether emerging table-and-ball sports deserve structured funding before, not after, they produce results.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Quimcy Dsouza at the Asian Games 2026 Teqball semifinal?
Quimcy Dsouza lost 1-2 to Indonesia's Ima Sumaya at the Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center on 19 September. She won the first set 12-7 but lost the second 9-12 and the deciding third set 7-12.
When is India's Teqball bronze medal match at Asian Games 2026?
India's Quimcy Dsouza plays the women's singles bronze medal match on Sunday, 20 September, against World No. 7 Yuina Sakamoto of Japan.
Has India ever won a Teqball medal at the Asian Games before?
No. A win for Dsouza on Sunday would be India's first-ever Teqball medal at the Asian Games, which is also the sport's debut at the continental showpiece at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
How did Quimcy Dsouza qualify for the Teqball semifinal?
Dsouza topped Group A with two wins — a 2-1 upset over top-seeded Japan's Yuina Sakamoto and a straight-sets win over Cambodia's Koemyean DY — earning a direct berth in the semifinals and bypassing the quarterfinals.
What is Teqball and why is it at the Asian Games?
Teqball is a sport invented in Hungary that combines football skills with a curved table, resembling a blend of freestyle football and sepak takraw. It is making its Asian Games debut at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, with five medal events — men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles.
