Historic double: Eain Yow and Co upset rivals while Aira steps up as M'sia sweep titles

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 3, 2026

Malaysia won both the men’s and women’s squash team titles at the Asian Games, a first in the event’s history, with key victories from rising star Aira Azman and singles gold medalist Ng Eain Yow. This double triumph, alongside four total gold medals, underscores Malaysia’s growing dominance in Asian squash and sets a new standard for future competitions.

Malaysia secured a historic double in squash at the Asian Games on Sunday, capturing both the men’s and women’s team titles at the Kinjo Futo Arena and solidifying their dominance in the sport.

In the women’s final, Malaysia edged out Hong Kong in a closely contested match. The opening point was clinched by Aifa Azman, who defeated Ho Tze Lok in straight games, 11-9, 11-9, 12-10. However, Sivasangari fell in a five-game match against Chan Sin Yuk, losing 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 7-11, setting the stage for the decider.

The deciding match saw 22-year-old Aira Azman, who had never before competed in a major final, rise to the occasion. She overcame Lee Ka Yi in straight games, 11-9, 11-5, 11-4, securing the victory and helping Malaysia successfully defend their women’s team crown. Aira acknowledged the pressure of playing the deciding match but credited her preparation and team support for her composure.

“I was quite nervous playing in the third match today, especially since it was my first time in a final decider,” Aira said. “I knew I was ready with my game plan and had trained hard for this moment. I am happy to have performed well with the team’s belief behind me.”

The Malaysian men’s team also completed a flawless performance by defeating Pakistan 2-0 in the final. C. Ameeshenraj opened the match against Nasir Iqbal, coming back from a game down to win 8-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-4 in 31 minutes. Ng Eain Yow, who had secured the men’s singles gold earlier in the Games, then fought through a five-game battle against Noor Zaman, prevailing 11-8, 6-11, 7-11, 11-4, 11-5 to seal the team victory.

The twin golds marked a first for Malaysia at the Asian Games, as no nation had previously claimed both the men’s and women’s squash team titles at the same edition. The country’s squash campaign was further highlighted by four gold medals overall, which included the men’s and women’s singles titles won by Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari, respectively.

The outstanding results reaffirm Malaysia’s status as a leading force in Asian squash, combining individual talent and strong team performances to dominate the field.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.