Asian Games: Anahat Singh makes history, moves one win away from LA Olympics

Anahat Singh produced one of the biggest comebacks of her young career on Saturday, overturning a two-game deficit to defeat Japan’s world No. 6 Satomi Watanabe and reach the women’s singles final at the Asian Games in Nagoya.

The 18-year-old Indian prevailed 9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3 after saving two match points in the third game. Her victory made her the first Indian woman to reach an Asian Games singles squash final.

Anahat had already made history earlier this year by becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships. Her latest triumph puts her one victory away from another major milestone, with the Asian Games women’s singles champion earning a qualification place for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where squash will make its debut.

Watanabe appeared in control after taking the opening two games, but Anahat refused to give in. She edged the third game 12-10 after saving two match points, levelled the contest with an 11-6 fourth-game win and then dominated the decider 11-3.

The comeback came despite an awkward collision during the match that briefly forced a medical stoppage after Anahat’s head struck Watanabe’s shoulder. She returned to action and showed no signs of being affected as she completed the turnaround.

Anahat’s breakthrough season began with her historic World Junior title in Canada in July. She defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem 3-0 in the final to become the first Indian to win the prestigious women’s singles crown and end Egypt’s run of dominance in the event.

The achievement was particularly significant after Anahat had suffered quarter-final and semi-final exits in earlier editions of the World Juniors. She finally broke through in her last year on the junior circuit. She will now meet the winner of the other women’s singles semifinal between Malaysia’s world No. 5 Sivasangari Subramaniam and Hong Kong’s Chan Sin Yuk.

India also secured a squash bronze on Saturday through Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar in mixed doubles. The Indian pair lost 10-11, 11-2, 10-11 to Hong Kong’s Tang Ming Hong and Lee Ka Yi in a closely fought semifinal.

The defeat nevertheless added another medal to Chinappa’s remarkable Asian Games record. The 40-year-old has now collected six medals at the continental event, including two silvers and three bronzes. While Chinappa added another medal to her haul, all eyes will now be on Anahat, who is one victory away from securing a historic Asian Games gold and a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.