Anahat, Abhay reach finals; LA28 claim awaits paperwork
India’s two squash finalists are one win from what reports describe as direct Olympic qualification. The governing document is still playing hide-and-seek.
India’s squash finalists await confirmation of the reported LA28 qualification route.
India has two Asian Games squash finalists. Anahat Singh reached the women’s singles final after recovering from 0-2 down to beat Japan’s Satomi Watanabe 3-2 on September 26. The game scores were 9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6 and 11-3, in a 51-minute semifinal at Nagoya Kinjo-Futo Arena. She saved two game points at 8-10 in the third game. (Times of India)
Abhay Singh beat Pakistan’s Muhammad Ashab Irfan 3-0, winning 11-3, 12-10 and 11-6 in 35 minutes. Anahat will face Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam; Abhay will play Malaysia’s Ng Eain Yow. The finals are scheduled for Sunday, September 27. (Times of India; Khel Now)
Several reports say the singles gold medallists will receive direct qualification for Los Angeles 2028. No official qualification regulation from the IOC, World Squash Federation, Asian Squash Federation or Games organisers was located. The rallies are documented. The paperwork, apparently, is still warming up.
Anahat said the Olympic possibility motivated her rather than pressured her. India’s players have reached the finals; the qualification rule has not yet reached the filing cabinet.