Anahat Singh Becomes First Indian Woman to Win Asian Games Singles Squash Medal
Anahat Singh claimed a historic silver medal in women’s singles squash at the 2026 Asian Games on Sunday, becoming the first Indian woman to win a singles medal in the sport at the continental Games.
The 18-year-old from New Delhi lost the gold-medal match to Malaysia’s defending champion Sivasangari Subramaniam 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-7) in 27 minutes at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Subramaniam, the world No. 5, controlled the contest from the outset with consistent attacking play and defence. Anahat, ranked 17th in the world, was outplayed in the opening two games before offering greater resistance in the third, in which she saved a match ball before falling 7-11.
The result added to India’s medal haul at the Games. Anahat’s silver followed Abhay Singh’s silver in the men’s singles final earlier the same day, also against a Malaysian opponent. Both Indian players missed the direct qualification quota for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where squash will make its Olympic debut; those places went to the singles gold medallists.
Anahat reached the final after a memorable semifinal comeback on Saturday. Trailing 0-2 against Japan’s world No. 6 Satomi Watanabe, she recovered to win 3-2 (9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3), saving match points in the process. She had earlier defeated Au Yeong Wai Iynn of Singapore 3-0 in the round of 16 and compatriot Tanvi Khanna 3-0 in the quarter-finals. The run made her the first Indian woman to reach an Asian Games singles final.
Speaking after the final, Anahat said she was satisfied with the medal despite not playing her best squash. “I wouldn’t say I’m too happy, but I’m definitely happy with the silver. It’s my first time playing singles at the Asian Games, and to get the opportunity to win a medal in just my second Asian Games is something I’m definitely happy about,” she told ANI. She added that she did not want to give up until the last point: “I definitely didn’t play my best squash today, but I didn’t want to give up until the last point because you never know what can happen.”
She acknowledged a gap in experience against a top-five player and said she would use the match as a learning opportunity. “Things don’t always go your way, and I know I’ll have a few more opportunities to make my way to the Olympics,” she said. Anahat, the reigning World Junior champion and the first Indian to win that title, had previously won bronze medals in the team and mixed doubles events at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games as a 15-year-old.
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated her, noting that she had etched her name in history as the first Indian woman to win a singles squash medal at the Asian Games. Team events continue in the coming days. Anahat indicated that the Indian women’s squad, which includes experienced players such as Joshna Chinappa, would now focus on those competitions.
The silver marks another milestone in a rapid rise that has seen Anahat become one of India’s leading squash prospects heading toward 2028.
