Psychologists help keep Ameeshenraj calm and composed

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 26, 2026

National squash player C. Ameeshenraj and Rachel Arnold advanced to the mixed doubles semi-finals at the Asian Games after overcoming added pressure following the early exit of top Malaysian seeds Syafiq Kamal and Aifa Azman. Their success highlights the impact of psychological training and experience, positioning them as strong medal contenders against Hong Kong’s third-seeded pair in the next round.

National squash player C. Ameeshenraj relied on the support of sports psychologists to maintain composure amid the pressures of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Ameeshenraj and his mixed doubles partner Rachel Arnold advanced to the semi-finals despite seeing their fellow Malaysian top seeds Syafiq Kamal and Aifa Azman exit the competition earlier in the day.

The pair began their campaign following the unexpected defeat of Syafiq and Aifa, the Hangzhou silver medallists, who were upset by the eighth-seeded duo Tang Ming Hong and Lee Ka Yi from Hong Kong. This result increased the pressure on Ameeshenraj and Arnold as they prepared for their own match.

Making his debut at the Asiad in Japan, Ameeshenraj acknowledged the psychological challenge presented by the earlier loss but credited the work he has done with sports psychologists at the National Sports Institute for helping him stay calm and focused. “I just wasn’t thinking ahead and focused on the things that I could control,” he said, reflecting on how that mindset contributed to their 11-8, 11-9 victory against the seventh-seeded South Korean pair Oh Seo-jin and Heo Ming-yeong.

The win secured Ameeshenraj and Arnold a place in the semi-finals, where they are set to face Hong Kong’s third seeds Matthew Lai and Toby Tse. Ameeshenraj also praised Arnold’s experience, noting that her prior participation in the Hangzhou Asian Games provided valuable on-court confidence. “I know I have a good partner. Even if I was scared, I knew she would finish it for me,” he stated.

Arnold, who previously competed at the Hangzhou Games but exited at the group stage with former partner Ivan Yuen, expressed optimism about their current partnership. “I think my experience helped. I want to do better for sure,” she said. She added that they are approaching the competition without undue pressure, focusing on each match as it comes.

Their collaborative approach and psychological preparation appear to have strengthened their performance as they aim to bring home a medal at the ongoing games.

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