Asian Games 2026: Joshna Chinappa wins 6th medal, bronze in squash mixed doubles
Synopsis
Joshna Chinappa's sixth Asian Games medal arrived in the most agonising fashion — three match points squandered in the decider before Hong Kong, China snatched the semifinal. The bronze keeps alive India's squash momentum from Hangzhou 2023, but Chinappa's elusive Asian Games gold remains out of reach as the tournament shifts to singles with Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh now carrying the flag.
Key Takeaways
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won bronze in squash mixed doubles at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on 26 September .
India lost the semifinal 1-2 (10-11, 11-2, 10-11) to Hong Kong, China's Lee Ka Yi and Tang Ming Hong , squandering three match points while leading 10-8 in the decider.
The medal is Chinappa's sixth from the Asian Games — comprising three bronze and two silver — but she is yet to win a continental gold.
Anahat Singh is in the women's singles semifinals against Japan's Satomi Watanabe , while Abhay Singh faces Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan in the men's singles last four.
India won five squash medals at Hangzhou 2023 , including two golds ; coach Harinder Pal Sandhu was part of that gold-winning men's team.
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar claimed a bronze medal in the squash mixed doubles event at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on 26 September, after a heartbreaking semifinal defeat to Hong Kong, China's Lee Ka Yi and Tang Ming Hong at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena. The loss — by a scoreline of 1-2 (10-11, 11-2, 10-11) — denied India a place in the final despite the pair holding three match points in the deciding game.
How the Semifinal Unfolded
The Indian duo had the match within their grasp in the third game, leading 10-8 before the Hong Kong pair mounted a stunning comeback. Chinappa conceded the decisive point by hitting the ball out of bounds, ending a nerve-racking contest that could have gone either way. The narrow loss was nonetheless enough to secure India's medal, as both semifinal losers receive bronze in squash at the Asian Games.
Chinappa's Historic Sixth Asian Games Medal
The bronze adds to an already distinguished continental record for Joshna Chinappa, who now holds six Asian Games medals — comprising three bronze and two silver medals from previous editions, along with this latest bronze. Despite the remarkable consistency, the elusive gold medal from the continental showpiece continues to escape the veteran Indian squash star.
India's Broader Squash Campaign at Aichi-Nagoya 2026
The Indian squad entered the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games on the back of a stellar Hangzhou 2023 campaign, where the country harvested five squash medals, including two golds, one silver, and two bronzes. The men's team clinched gold at Hangzhou, while the mixed doubles pairing also topped the podium. Saurav Ghosal delivered silver in men's singles, and bronze came via the women's team and mixed team events.
This time, Anahat Singh and Tanvi Khanna represent India in women's singles, with Chinappa absent from the singles draw. Anahat, who won bronze at Hangzhou as part of both the women's and mixed teams, is pushing for a first Asiad final appearance and faces Japan's Satomi Watanabe in the singles semifinals, having defeated compatriot Tanvi in an all-Indian quarterfinal on Friday. On the men's side, Abhay Singh is set to face Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan in the men's singles semifinal on Saturday.
Road to the Semifinals
Chinappa and Senthilkumar had already guaranteed India a medal by reaching the last four, following their dominant quarterfinal victory over the Philippines' Jemyca Aribado and David Pelino by 2-0 (11-3, 11-5) on Friday. The Indian team is guided by Harinder Pal Sandhu, himself a gold medallist from the men's team triumph at Hangzhou 2023, who serves as coach of the Indian squash contingent in Nagoya.
With individual medals still on the line in the singles events, India's squash chapter at the 2026 Asian Games is not yet written in full.
Point of View
Yet no gold. The three squandered match points at 10-8 will sting, but the broader picture for Indian squash in Nagoya is still alive: Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh carry realistic medal hopes in singles, and a men's singles final against Pakistan would generate significant attention beyond squash circles. India's squash programme has quietly built one of its most competitive multi-event rosters, yet consistent finals conversion remains the missing piece.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Joshna Chinappa win at the 2026 Asian Games?
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won a bronze medal in the squash mixed doubles event at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on 26 September, after losing the semifinal to Hong Kong, China's Lee Ka Yi and Tang Ming Hong 1-2.
How many Asian Games medals does Joshna Chinappa have?
The bronze at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is Joshna Chinappa's sixth Asian Games medal. She had previously won three bronze and two silver medals at earlier editions of the continental Games, but has not yet claimed a gold.
Why did India fail to reach the squash mixed doubles final?
India lost the semifinal 1-2 (10-11, 11-2, 10-11), surrendering three match points when they led 10-8 in the deciding game. A wayward shot by Chinappa ended the contest, giving the Hong Kong, China pair the win.
Who is representing India in squash singles at the 2026 Asian Games?
Anahat Singh and Tanvi Khanna are in the women's singles draw; Anahat faces Japan's Satomi Watanabe in the semifinals. Abhay Singh is in the men's singles semifinals against Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan. Joshna Chinappa is not competing in singles at this edition.
How did India perform at the previous Asian Games in squash?
India won five squash medals at Hangzhou 2023 — two golds (men's team and mixed doubles), one silver (men's singles through Saurav Ghosal), and two bronzes (women's team and mixed team). Coach Harinder Pal Sandhu was a gold medallist in that men's team event.
