In a momentous display of athletic prowess, Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng and Sivasangari Subramaniam have made history at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, by becoming the first squash players to secure their spots in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. As they defended their titles and exemplified the rising prominence of squash in Asia, their victories not only showcased personal triumphs but also highlighted Malaysia’s rich sporting legacy on an international stage.
Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng and Sivasangari Subramaniam have achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first squash players to qualify for the Summer Olympics after winning gold medals at the Asian Games. The event, held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, saw the defending champions dominate their respective finals on Sunday, earning them coveted spots at the 2028 Los Angeles Games—the inaugural Olympic appearance for squash.
The Asian Games rules dictate that gold medals in certain sports automatically grant Olympic qualification, and both Eain and Sivasangari took full advantage, defending their titles without losing a single game throughout their campaigns. Their outstanding performances earned Malaysia its fifth and sixth gold medals at the Games.
World ranked number 18, Eain Yow Ng, delivered a commanding performance in the men’s final, defeating India’s Abhay Singh in straight games with scores of 11-9, 11-5, and 11-5 in a swift 33 minutes. By securing this title, Eain became the first Malaysian squash player to qualify for the Olympics, marking a significant achievement for both him and his nation.
Shortly thereafter, world number five Sivasangari Subramaniam replicated his success in the women’s final against India’s Anahat Singh, who holds the 17th rank globally. Sivasangari showcased her skill and speed, overwhelming Singh with scores of 11-4, 11-4, and 11-7 in just 23 minutes to clinch her gold medal.
Anahat Singh, the world junior champion, displayed remarkable grit earlier in the semifinal, rallying from a two-set deficit to claim victory against Japan’s Satomi Watanabe. After the match, she reflected on her achievement, calling it “the best win of her career” as she became the first Indian woman to reach a singles final at the Asian Games.
The Asian Games also saw Pakistan secure two bronze medals, with third-seeded Noor Zaman defeating compatriot Ashab Irfan in the men’s singles bronze match, while Japan’s Satomi Watanabe earned her bronze by defeating Hong Kong’s Sin Yuk Chan.
As the sports world looks forward to the Los Angeles Olympics, the remarkable achievements of Eain Yow Ng and Sivasangari Subramaniam certainly elevate the profile of squash and inspire a new generation of athletes across the region.
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