Anahat Singh, Abhay Singh Face Malaysian Test At Asian Games

India’s Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh will face strong Malaysian challenges in the Asian Games squash competition after being handed the second and third seeds respectively in the singles draws.

The seedings, announced on Thursday and based on world rankings as of July 13, have raised expectations around India’s leading squash players, with the singles gold medallists also earning direct qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Anahat Singh Faces Defending Champion

Anahat Singh, India’s first junior world champion, has been seeded third in the women’s singles. The 18-year-old, ranked 20th in the world, is expected to challenge for a medal in the Asian Games squash event.

Her biggest threats include Malaysia’s fifth-ranked defending champion Sivasangari Subramaniam and Japan’s world number six Satomi Watanabe.

Anahat recently lost to Subramaniam in the quarterfinals of the London Classic and will be eager to make amends on the Asian Games stage.

India will also have Tanvi Khanna in the women’s singles draw, with the former national champion seeded seventh.

Abhay Singh Gets Second Seed

In the men’s singles, world number 24 Abhay Singh has been given the second seed behind defending champion Eain Yow Ng of Malaysia, who is ranked 18th in the world.

India’s Veer Chotrani has been handed the fourth seed, giving the country two strong contenders in the men’s singles competition.

India have won three squash gold medals at the Asian Games but are yet to claim the top prize in either singles event. The opportunity to secure Olympic qualification adds further importance to the competition.

India Top Seeded In Team Event

India’s men’s squash team, comprising Abhay Singh, Veer Chotrani, V Senthilkumar and Suraj Kumar Chand, has been named the top seed ahead of Malaysia, Pakistan and Hong Kong.

The Anahat Singh-led women’s team has been seeded third, keeping India firmly among the medal contenders across the squash events.

Veteran Joshna Chinappa will also feature in her record seventh consecutive Asian Games appearance. She will compete in the mixed doubles and women’s team events.

Hangzhou Champions Eye More Gold

India enjoyed success in the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, winning gold in the men’s team and mixed doubles events.

Abhay Singh was part of the victorious men’s team, while Harinder Pal Sandhu and Dipika Pallikal secured mixed doubles gold. Sandhu is now part of India’s coaching staff.

With Olympic qualification on offer for the singles winners, Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh will carry significant expectations as India look to add their first Asian Games singles squash gold medals.