Asian Games 2026: Quimcy Dsouza closes in on historic Teqball medal for India

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If the 24-year-old Indian loses in the last four match, she will still have a shot at a bronze on Sunday(September 20, 2026). Credit: teqballindia/Instagram

India's Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza is just a win away from securing a historic medal for the country in Teqball after marching into the women's singles semifinals at the Asian Games on Friday (September 18, 2026).

Making her Asian Games debut, Quimcy stunned top-seeded Yuina Sakamoto of Japan 2-1 (10-12 12-11 13-11) in her opening Group A match that lasted 43 minutes at the Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center.

The young Indian carried the momentum into her second group match and defeated Cambodia's Koemyean DY 2-0 (12-9 12-7) in 24 minutes to top her group and qualify for the semifinals.

She will take on Indonesia's Sumaya in the semifinals on Saturday (September 19, 2026) and a win will ensure the first-ever medal for India in Teqball, one of the six sports making its debut at the continental showpiece.

If the 24-year-old Indian loses in the last four match, she will still have a shot at a bronze on Sunday(September 20, 2026).

However, the Indian pair of Quimcy and Mohammed Anas Imran Beg lost in the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles event.

Quimcy and Beg lost 0-2 (7-12 10-12) against Vietnam's Hoang Minh Tan Nguyen and Gia Nghi Trinh in the quarterfinals.

But the Indians still have a chance to finish on the podium on Sunday (September 20, 2026), as they won the repechage tie.

The Indian duo started on a positive note defeating Philippines Jhoana Abulencia and Prince Augustin 2-0 (12-10 12-3) in their opening Group A tie before losing 1-2 (8-12 12-7 10-12) in the next match.

Quimcy and Beg suffered defeats in the next two ties as they lost 0-2 (3-12 8-12) against Cambodia's Thuonvireak Bun and Sophornraksmey Yorn before going down 0-2 (3-12 8-12) against the Thailand combination of Phakpong Dejaroen and Suphawadi Wongkhamchan.

But the Indian pair made a strong comeback to register a 2-0 (12-1 12-6) win over Salman Alebraheem and Hessah Alfailakawi to book a quarterfinal berth where they faltered.

In the repechage round, Quimcy and Beg got the better of Abulencia and Augustin for a second time in the day, beating the Filipino duo 2-0 (12-3 12-6) to stay in contention for a medal.