Indian squash players claim third place following semifinal defeat

Squash players representing India secured third place at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya following a tightly contested 1-2 semifinal defeat against Hong Kong on Thursday. Official match records confirm the tie featured immense drama, with both nations battling furiously for a coveted spot in the finals. India has historically maintained strong performances in continental racket sports, frequently securing podium finishes across multiple team events.

Hong Kong claimed the opening match of the tie. Indian competitor Anahat Singh won her first two games 11-9 and 11-8 against Chan Sin Yuk. However, Chan fought back strongly to claim the third game 11-6. During a tense fourth game, Anahat held three match points, but Chan saved them through clever tactics, forced a decider via a penalty stroke, and ultimately won the match.

Trailing by one point, India levelled the overall scoreline when Tanvi Khanna delivered an exceptional performance against Lee Ka Yi. Despite being ranked thirty-three places below her opponent globally, Khanna secured a hard-earned 3-1 victory. She dropped the initial game 4-11 before executing a stunning recovery to win the subsequent three rounds 13-11, 11-9, and 13-11. Khanna tested Lee repeatedly through proactive shot selection, holding her nerve during crucial extra-time rallies.

Veteran athlete Joshna Chinappa stepped onto the court for the final showdown against world number thirty-nine Ho Tze Lok. The forty-year-old sports icon faced heavy pressure as Ho quickly established dominance. Chinappa fought fiercely in the final game, saving five match points in rapid succession, but ultimately suffered a 0-3 defeat with scores of 4-11, 7-11, and 9-11. Hong Kong officially advanced to the gold medal clash, while the Indian women's squash team proudly concluded their campaign with a well-deserved Bronze.

With Inputs from Agency Threads and Image Courtesy: ANI