Asian Games 2026: India women's squash team wins bronze after 2-1 SF loss to Hong Kong
Synopsis
India's women's squash trio of Anahat Singh, Tanvi Khanna, and Joshna Chinappa bowed out of the Asian Games 2026 semi-finals with a bronze after a dramatic 2-1 loss to Hong Kong — Tanvi's comeback win keeping hopes alive before Chinappa's defeat in the decider sealed it. For Anahat, it is a second medal at these Games, continuing a legacy she also built at Hangzhou 2023.
Key Takeaways
India's women's squash team won bronze at Asian Games 2026 after losing 2-1 to Hong Kong in the semi-finals at Nagoya on 1 October 2026 .
Tanvi Khanna beat world No.
40 Lee Ka Yi 3-1 in a comeback win, but Joshna Chinappa lost the decider 3-0 to Ho Tze Lok .
Anahat Singh won two medals at these Games — silver in women's singles and bronze with the team.
This is India's fourth squash medal at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, following silvers for Abhay Singh (men's singles) and a bronze for the mixed doubles pair.
Joshna Chinappa , Tanvi Khanna , and Anahat Singh also won team bronze at Hangzhou 2023 , showing India's sustained depth in women's squash.
India's women's squash team claimed a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya after going down 2-1 to Hong Kong in the semi-finals at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena on Wednesday, 1 October. The result marks India's fourth squash medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
How the Semi-Final Unfolded
Anahat Singh opened proceedings but fell 3-2 to Chan Sin Yuk (11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-13, 10-12) in a tightly contested five-game battle. Anahat had several match points in the third game but was unable to convert them, allowing Chan to take control in the fourth and fifth.
Tanvi Khanna then produced a stunning comeback to stun world No. 40 Lee Ka Yi 3-1 (4-11, 13-11, 11-9, 13-11), levelling the tie at 1-1 and keeping India's hopes alive. However, veteran Joshna Chinappa lost the deciding match 3-0 to Ho Tze Lok (11-4, 11-7, 11-9), confirming the bronze medal finish for India.
Anahat Singh's Standout Games Campaign
The bronze adds to what has been a remarkable tournament for Anahat Singh, who earlier claimed a silver medal in the women's singles — her second medal at these Games. In that final, she lost to Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-7). Notably, Anahat also featured in the bronze-medal-winning women's and mixed teams at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games, making her one of India's most decorated squash players at multi-sport events.
India's Full Squash Haul at Aichi-Nagoya 2026
India's fourth squash medal at these Games comes after a series of near-misses at the top. Abhay Singh won silver in the men's singles on Sunday, losing the final 3-0 to Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow (11-9, 11-5, 11-5). Abhay is only the second Indian to reach the men's singles final at the Asian Games, after Saurav Ghosal, who finished runner-up at both Incheon 2014 and Hangzhou 2023. The mixed doubles pair of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar had secured a bronze medal on Saturday.
Crucially, both Anahat and Abhay fell one win short of securing Olympic squash quotas, which were on offer for Asian Games gold medallists in the singles events.
Carrying Forward the Hangzhou Legacy
India arrived at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on the back of a rich squash campaign at Hangzhou 2023, where the country swept five medals — including two golds (men's team and mixed doubles), one silver (Saurav Ghosal, men's singles), and two bronzes (women's team and mixed team). The trio of Joshna Chinappa, Tanvi Khanna, and Anahat Singh were all part of that Hangzhou bronze-winning women's squad, underlining the continuity and depth India has built in women's squash.
With the 2026 edition concluding on another podium finish, Indian squash continues to establish itself as a competitive force in Asia, though the elusive gold — and the Olympic quota that comes with it — remains the next target on the horizon.
Point of View
Yet the recurring pattern of silver medals across singles events — Anahat, Abhay, and Saurav Ghosal before them — exposes a persistent ceiling against the region's elite. The missed Olympic quota opportunities in both singles events are the real story beneath the podium finishes: gold was not just a prestige target but a qualification ticket. With squash making its Olympic debut, bridging that final gap will define whether this generation of Indian players translates Asian Games consistency into global relevance.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did India win a medal in squash at the Asian Games 2026?
Yes. India's women's squash team won a bronze medal at Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya after losing 2-1 to Hong Kong in the semi-finals on 1 October. It was India's fourth squash medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Who played for India in the women's squash semi-final against Hong Kong?
Anahat Singh, Tanvi Khanna, and Joshna Chinappa represented India. Anahat lost 3-2 to Chan Sin Yuk, Tanvi won 3-1 against Lee Ka Yi, and Joshna lost 3-0 to Ho Tze Lok in the deciding match.
How many medals did Anahat Singh win at Asian Games 2026?
Anahat Singh won two medals at Asian Games 2026 — a silver in the women's singles and a bronze with the women's team. She also won medals at Hangzhou 2023, making her one of India's most decorated squash athletes at multi-sport events.
What was India's overall squash medal tally at Asian Games 2026?
India won four squash medals at Aichi-Nagoya 2026: silver for Abhay Singh (men's singles), silver for Anahat Singh (women's singles), bronze for the mixed doubles pair of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar, and bronze for the women's team.
How does India's 2026 squash performance compare to Hangzhou 2023?
At Hangzhou 2023, India won five squash medals including two golds (men's team, mixed doubles), one silver, and two bronzes. The 2026 tally of four medals with no gold represents a step back in terms of top-podium finishes, though the individual silver performances of Anahat and Abhay show continued world-class depth.
