Asian Games 2026: Quimcy Dsouza in the fight for double medals in teqball

India could have a surprise teqball medal contender at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza staying in contention for medals in both the women’s singles and mixed doubles.

In her Asian Games debut, 24-year-old Dsouza cruised into the women’s singles semi-finals after dominating Pool A, while she and Mohammed Anas Imran Beg stayed alive in the mixed doubles medal race by winning a replay after a quarter-final defeat.

Dsouz’s singles matches are running she was already one win away from securing a historic medal for India in the sport making its Asian Games debut. In Saturday’s semi-finals, she will face Sumaya from Indonesia. A victory would guarantee her at least a silver medal, a defeat would give her a chance to fight for bronze on Sunday.

The Indian opened her campaign with a major upset, defeating top seed Yuina Sakamoto of Japan 2-1 (10-12, 12-11, 13-11) in a 43-minute Group A encounter at the Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center.

She followed that up with a more comfortable 2-0 (12-9, 12-7) win over Cambodia’s Koemyean DY in 24 minutes to top the group. This earned her direct progress to the semi-finals, Dsouza received a bye in the quarter-finals.

MIXED DOUBLES FIGHT

The mixed doubles campaign has been more complicated for Dsouza and Bega, but the Indian pair remain in the hunt for a podium finish.

After reaching the quarterfinals, the duo lost 0-2 (7-12, 10-12) to Vietnam’s Hoang Minh Tan Nguyen and Gia Nghi Trinh. However, they bounced back in the rematch, defeating the Philippines’ Jhoana Abulencio and Prince Augustin 2-0 (12-3, 12-6) to keep their medal hopes alive.

The Indians earlier beat the same Filipino pair 2-0 (12-10, 12-3) in the group stage. They also won 2-0 (12-1, 12-6) over Kuwait’s Salman Alebraheem and Hessah Alfailaqawi to book their place in the quarter-finals despite suffering losses against Cambodia and Thailand during the group stage.

The mixed doubles medal rounds will take place on Sunday.

A NEW SPORT

Teqball is one of six sports making its debut at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, alongside mixed martial arts, padel, surfing, BMX freestyle and virtual taekwondo.

A combination of soccer and table tennis, Teqball was invented in Hungary in 2014. Players use almost every part of their body except their hands and arms to return five standard size soccer balls across a curved table divided by a transparent net.

With Dsouza still alive in two races, India could now make an immediate impact in the sport making its first appearance at the continental showpiece.

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Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

18 Sep 2026 17:45 IST