Asian Games 2026: Quimcy Dsouza in contention for double medals in Teqball
India could have a surprise medal contender in Teqball at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza keeping herself in contention for medals in both the women's singles and mixed doubles events.
Making her Asian Games debut, the 24-year-old Dsouza stormed into the women's singles semifinals after topping Group A, while she and Mohammed Anas Imran Beg stayed alive in the mixed doubles medal race by winning their repechage tie after a quarterfinal defeat.
Dsouza's singles run has already put her one victory away from securing a historic medal for India in a sport making its Asian Games debut. She will face Indonesia's Sumaya in the semifinal on Saturday. A victory would guarantee at least a silver medal, while a defeat would leave her with a chance to fight for bronze on Sunday.
The Indian began 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 it up with a more comfortable 2-0 (12-9, 12-7) win over Cambodia's Koemyean DY in 24 minutes to finish top of the group. That earned her a direct passage to the semifinals, with Dsouza receiving a bye in the quarterfinals.
The mixed doubles campaign has been more complicated for Dsouza and Beg, 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 repechage, defeating Philippines' Jhoana Abulencia and Prince Augustin 2-0 (12-3, 12-6) to keep their medal hopes alive.
The Indians had earlier beaten the same Filipino pair 2-0 (12-10, 12-3) in the group stage. They also picked up a 2-0 (12-1, 12-6) victory over Kuwait's Salman Alebraheem and Hessah Alfailakawi to book their quarterfinal spot, despite suffering losses against Cambodia and Thailand during the group phase.
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 football 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 a standard size five football across a curved table divided by a transparent net.
With Dsouza still alive in two events, India could now make an immediate impact in a sport appearing at the continental showpiece for the first time.- EndsPublished By: Amar PanickerPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 17:45 IST
