Malaysia’s Ng and Subramaniam Secure Squash’s First Olympic Spots

Malaysian squash stars Eain Yow Ng and Sivasangari Subramaniam have etched their names in history as the first athletes to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. By successfully defending their titles at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, both players secured automatic entry into the upcoming Games, marking the official debut of squash as an Olympic sport. Where squash will make its Olympic debut, the defending champions won the men’s and women’s singles finals on Sunday and earned a ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

World number 18 Eain Yow Ng delivered a dominant performance at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena on Sunday, dismantling India’s Abhay Singh 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 in a 33-minute final. This victory not only solidified his gold medal status but also officially crowned him the first Malaysian athlete to earn an Olympic berth for 2028.

In the women’s final, world number five Sivasangari Subramaniam maintained her momentum to defeat India’s Anahat Singh in just 23 minutes. The final score of 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 showcased her control, as she defended her title without dropping a single game throughout the tournament. For the 18-year-old Anahat Singh, reaching the final was a historic achievement in itself, as she became the first Indian woman to reach a singles final at the Asian Games.

Reflecting on her journey to the final, Anahat Singh noted the significance of her semifinal victory over Japan’s Satomi Watanabe, which required a grueling comeback from two sets down to secure a 9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3 win. After the match, she remarked that overcoming the world number six was the greatest win of her career to date.

The day’s proceedings also saw additional medals awarded. Pakistan’s Noor Zaman claimed bronze by defeating compatriot Ashab Irfan in a straight-sets match, while Japan’s Satomi Watanabe secured a 3-1 victory over Hong Kong’s Sin Yuk Chan to take home the bronze in the women’s event. These victories contributed to Malaysia’s overall tally, adding the fifth and sixth gold medals for the nation during these Games.