JOSHNA CHINAPPA has etched her name further into the annals of Indian sporting history, leading a dominant charge as the Indian squash contingent secured a guaranteed haul of three medals at the 2026 Asian Games. On a landmark Friday at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena, the veteran maestro teamed up with Velavan Senthilkumar to storm into the mixed doubles semifinals, while the rising stars of the sport, Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh, ensured India’s dominance by progressing to the final four in their respective singles categories.
For the 40-year-old Chinappa, the day was not just about the victory—it was a celebration of longevity and unrelenting excellence. By advancing to the mixed doubles semis, Chinappa secured her sixth career Asian Games medal, a testament to a career defined by grace, tactical brilliance, and a tireless work ethic.
A Historic Milestone for the Veteran
Competing in her record-breaking seventh Asian Games, Chinappa has officially surpassed the milestone set by teammate Saurav Ghosal. Having graced the continental stage since the 2002 Busan Games, her career has spanned generations, yet her hunger for the podium remains undiminished.
In the quarterfinal clash, Chinappa and Senthilkumar were clinical, needing less than 30 minutes to dismantle the Philippine duo of David Pelino and Jemyca Aribado. The Indian pair dictated the tempo from the opening serve, racing to a 3-0 lead and never looking back. They closed the first game 11-3 in just nine minutes. While the Filipinos attempted to bridge the gap in the second game, the Indian pair simply shifted gears, closing out the contest 11-5.
“Winning a medal for your country is always very special,” Chinappa said in the aftermath of the win. “And that’s been my motivation all my career.”
The victory sets up a high-stakes semifinal encounter on Saturday against Hong Kong’s formidable pair, Yo Ka Lee and Ming Hong Tang. Chinappa’s decorated cabinet—which includes a 2018 singles bronze, and silver and bronze medals in team events from previous editions—is now guaranteed at least one more addition, further cementing her status as the heartbeat of Indian squash.
The Rise of the Next Generation
While Chinappa provided the experience, the youth contingent of Indian squash signaled that the future is in safe hands. Junior world champion Anahat Singh continued to live up to her billing as a gold-medal favorite. In a clinical display of power and precision, Anahat dispatched compatriot Tanvi Khanna in straight games, 11-2, 11-5, 11-3, in the women’s singles quarterfinal.
Anahat’s performance carries heavy stakes beyond the podium. With squash set to make its historic Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the Asian Games singles gold medal offers a direct path to qualification. The young star’s composure under pressure suggests she is well-prepared to handle the weight of such an opportunity.
Not to be outdone, Abhay Singh produced a statement victory in the men’s singles bracket. Facing the local crowd favorite, Japan’s Ryonosuke Tsukue, Abhay remained unfazed by the atmosphere. He dismantled the Japanese challenge with an 11-4, 11-3, 11-6 victory that demonstrated his dominance at the front of the court and his ability to neutralize aggressive rallies.
The Road Ahead: Semifinal Challenges
As the tournament moves into the business end, the focus shifts to the semifinal bouts scheduled for Saturday. Abhay Singh is set for a high-intensity battle against Pakistan’s Irfan Muhammad. The latter advanced after a gritty 41-minute comeback victory over India’s Veer Chotrani. Chotrani, who took the first game 11-6, was unable to maintain the momentum as Muhammad clawed back to win the next three games, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiery cross-border clash.
For India, the mission is clear: with three medals already in the bag, the focus now turns to the color of those medals. The technical precision shown by Chinappa, combined with the explosive athleticism of Anahat and Abhay, has placed the Indian squad in an enviable position.
As the sun sets on the Nagoya courts, the Indian contingent leaves the arena having firmly established that they are not merely participants in these Games, but the primary drivers of the narrative. Whether it is the storied veteran embarking on her final chapters or the young phenom just beginning to pen her legacy, India’s squash stars are proving that they belong at the pinnacle of the sport. All eyes will now turn to the semifinal court, where the dream of gold inches closer to reality.
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