Malaysian squash player S. Sivasangari is preparing to defend her gold medal at the Asian Games, with the women’s singles competition beginning today at the Nagoya Kinjofuto Arena in Aichi-Nagoya. The 27-year-old athlete views this tournament not only as a chance to repeat her previous success but also as a critical opportunity to secure qualification for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Sivasangari emphasized that while winning gold remains the primary goal, the challenge lies in how she mentally prepares for each match. “Everyone wants to win. That is not the question,” she noted, pointing to her focus on match preparation and mental readiness. Representing Malaysia, she added, holds special significance for her, making the Asian Games an important event in her career.

This year, the stakes are higher as a gold medal could also help her clinch a spot in the Olympics, adding both motivation and pressure. “Both are important. Representing Malaysia is always a big thing, and the Asian Games are also very important to me. This year, there is another motivation, which is to secure an Olympic berth. So, it is an additional motivation and additional pressure,” Sivasangari explained.

In the lead-up to the Games, Sivasangari undertook intensive physical training, spending about six weeks in Prague, Czech Republic. She then began the current Professional Squash Association (PSA) season by competing in London and Qatar. Despite her physical preparation, she stressed that mental strength will be crucial during the competition. “I have done the work physically, but when I arrive at the tournament, it is more about the mental aspect,” she said.

Sivasangari’s previous achievements include winning both the singles and team gold medals at the last Asian Games held in Hangzhou, underscoring her status as one of Malaysia’s top squash athletes. As the competition gets underway, her focus remains on maintaining form and composure in pursuit of another title and a possible Olympic berth.