Asian Games 2026: Quimcy Dsouza loses Teqball singles bronze to Japan's Sakamoto
Synopsis
On her Asian Games debut in Nagoya, India's Quimcy Dsouza came agonisingly close to a Teqball bronze — leading 10-7 in the second set before Japan's world No. 7 Yuina Sakamoto overhauled her. With the singles campaign over, Dsouza's last shot at history is the mixed doubles bronze match against Vietnam.
Key Takeaways
Quimcy Dsouza lost the women's singles Teqball bronze-medal match to Japan's Yuina Sakamoto (world No.
7) at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 20 September .
Sakamoto won 12-11 in the first set and came from behind to win the second after Dsouza led 10-7 .
Multiple points were replayed due to edge balls — a unique rule in Teqball where the ball catching the curved table edge voids the point.
Dsouza still has a mixed doubles bronze-medal match to play alongside partner Mohamed Anas Imran Beg against Vietnam's Nguyen Hoang Minh Tan and Trinh Gia Nghi .
A victory in the mixed doubles would give India its first-ever Teqball medal at the Asian Games.
India's Quimcy Dsouza fell just short of a historic bronze medal in the women's singles Teqball event at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 20 September, losing a tightly contested match to Japan's Yuina Sakamoto, ranked world No. 7, in two sets. The defeat ends her singles campaign without a podium finish, though her Asian Games journey is far from over.
How the Match Unfolded
Playing against the home favourite on her Asian Games debut, Dsouza faced an uphill battle from the start of the first set. She trailed 3-6 and then 7-9 before mounting a spirited comeback that briefly put her ahead at 11-10. Sakamoto, however, levelled the scores and edged the closing exchanges to claim the opening set 12-11.
The second set appeared to be swinging India's way as Dsouza built leads of 6-3 and later 10-7. Sakamoto drew on her experience and variety — deploying deft touches and precise angles to gradually erase the deficit. She levelled at 10-10, took the lead in the final exchanges, and sealed the bronze medal for Japan.
Edge Balls and Unusual Interruptions
The contest was also marked by several unusual stoppages. Multiple points had to be replayed after edge balls — a situation in Teqball where the ball catches the curved edge of the specialised table, automatically nullifying the point under the sport's rules. The interruptions added an unpredictable dimension to an already tense encounter.
What is Teqball
Teqball is a relatively new sport played on a curved table, combining elements of football and table tennis. Players use any part of their body except their hands and arms to return the ball over the curved surface. The sport made its Asian Games debut recently and has been gaining traction across Asia, with Japan and several Southeast Asian nations investing in development programmes.
Mixed Doubles Still Ahead for Dsouza
Despite the singles setback, Dsouza retains a shot at a podium finish at these Games. She will partner Mohamed Anas Imran Beg in the mixed doubles bronze-medal match, where the Indian pair will face Vietnam's Nguyen Hoang Minh Tan and Trinh Gia Nghi. A win there would mark India's first-ever Teqball medal at the Asian Games and cap a remarkable debut campaign for Dsouza.
Point of View
In the second at 10-7 — and twice Sakamoto's experience extinguished the advantage. The pattern points to a mental edge gap that comes only with high-stakes match time, not a skill deficit. India's investment in fringe Olympic-pathway sports like Teqball remains thin; this debut run to two bronze-medal matches, if converted even once, would be the most emphatic argument yet for deeper institutional support.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Quimcy Dsouza in the Asian Games Teqball singles?
Quimcy Dsouza lost the women's singles Teqball bronze-medal match to Japan's Yuina Sakamoto at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 20 September. Sakamoto won in two sets, edging the first 12-11 and coming from 7-10 down to win the second set as well.
Who is Yuina Sakamoto in Teqball?
Yuina Sakamoto is a Japanese Teqball player ranked world No. 7. Playing as the home favourite in Nagoya, she used experience and variety of shots to overcome Dsouza's comebacks in both sets and claim the bronze medal.
What is an edge ball in Teqball?
An edge ball in Teqball occurs when the ball catches the curved edge of the specialised table rather than the flat playing surface. Under the sport's rules, this voids the point and it must be replayed. The Dsouza-Sakamoto match featured several such interruptions.
Does Quimcy Dsouza still have a chance to win a medal at these Asian Games?
Yes. Dsouza will compete in the mixed doubles bronze-medal match alongside partner Mohamed Anas Imran Beg against Vietnam's Nguyen Hoang Minh Tan and Trinh Gia Nghi. A win would earn India its first-ever Teqball medal at the Asian Games.
What are the Asian Games 2026 Teqball mixed doubles details for India?
India's mixed doubles pair of Quimcy Dsouza and Mohamed Anas Imran Beg will face Vietnam's Nguyen Hoang Minh Tan and Trinh Gia Nghi in the bronze-medal match at the Asian Games in Nagoya. The match represents Dsouza's second and final podium opportunity at these Games.
