India’s Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won a bronze medal in squash mixed doubles at the 2026 Asian Games after a narrow semifinal defeat to Hong Kong, China’s Lee Ka Yi and Tang Ming Hong in Nagoya.
India’s Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar secured a bronze medal in squash mixed doubles at the 2026 Asian Games after suffering a narrow semifinal defeat to Hong Kong, China’s Lee Ka Yi and Tang Ming Hong at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena on Saturday.
The Indian pair went down 1-2 (10-11, 11-2, 10-11) in a closely fought semifinal that went down to the wire. Despite missing out on a place in the final, Chinappa and Senthilkumar had already assured India of a medal by reaching the last four.
The semifinal proved to be a nerve-racking contest, particularly in the decisive third game. The Indian duo appeared to be in a strong position after taking an 10-8 lead and earning three match points. However, they were unable to convert their opportunities as the Hong Kong pair fought back strongly. Chinappa eventually hit a shot over the bounds, allowing Lee and Tang to take the decider 11-10 and seal their place in the final.
The bronze medal adds another Asian Games medal to the decorated career of Joshna Chinappa. The veteran Indian squash player has now won six medals at the continental event, including three bronze and two silver medals. However, the elusive Asian Games gold medal remains absent from her collection.
Chinappa and Senthilkumar entered the semifinals after a convincing quarterfinal victory over the Philippines’ Jemyca Aribado and David Pelino on Friday. The Indian pair won the quarterfinal 2-0 (11-3, 11-5), securing their place in the medal rounds and ensuring another medal for India in squash.
Chinappa is not competing in the women’s singles event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. India’s singles campaign is being led by Anahat Singh and Tanvi Khanna. Anahat advanced to the women’s singles semifinal after defeating fellow Indian Tanvi in the quarterfinals on Friday. She will face Japan’s Satomi Watanabe in the semifinal as she targets a place in the Asian Games final.
In the men’s singles competition, India’s Abhay Singh is also set to compete in the semifinal. He will take on Pakistan’s Muhammad Irfan in a bid to progress to the final and keep India’s medal hopes alive in the individual event.
India’s squash team entered the 2026 Asian Games following a successful campaign at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games, where the country collected five medals, including two gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
At Hangzhou, India won the men’s team gold medal and also finished at the top of the podium in mixed doubles. Saurav Ghosal secured a silver medal in men’s singles, while India earned bronze medals in the women’s team and mixed team competitions.
Anahat Singh was part of India’s bronze-medal-winning women’s and mixed teams at the previous Asian Games. Joshna Chinappa and Tanvi Khanna also represented India in the women’s team event at Hangzhou.
| Also Read: Gambhir backs young India Test side for New Zealand challenge |
Harinder Pal Sandhu, who was part of India’s gold-medal-winning men’s team at Hangzhou, is serving as the coach of the Indian squash team at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.
The bronze secured by Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar therefore adds another medal to India’s squash tally at the continental sporting event, while the country continues its campaign across singles and other team competitions.
