Nagoya, Sept 2026 : India’s Quimcy Dsouza narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the women’s singles Teqball event after suffering a close defeat against Japan’s Yuina Sakamoto at the Asian Games on Sunday.
Facing the home favourite and world No. 7, Quimcy produced a spirited fightback in both sets but was unable to close out the contest, with Sakamoto holding her nerve during the crucial exchanges to secure the bronze medal.
Quimcy found herself trailing 3-6 in the opening set and later faced a 7-9 deficit. The Indian fought back strongly and moved ahead 11-10, putting herself within touching distance of taking the set. However, Sakamoto responded immediately to level the score before winning the final points to take the tightly contested set 12-11.
The second set followed a similar pattern, although Quimcy made a much stronger start. She established a 6-3 lead and continued to maintain control, eventually moving 10-7 ahead.
With the Indian appearing close to forcing a deciding set, Sakamoto once again displayed her experience and composure. The Japanese player gradually reduced the deficit with a series of deft touches and well-placed shots, putting increasing pressure on Quimcy.
Sakamoto eventually drew level at 10-10 before moving ahead in the closing exchanges. She then secured the required points to win the set and complete the victory, ending Quimcy’s bid for a singles medal.
The match also featured several unusual interruptions, with points having to be replayed following edge balls. In Teqball, an edge ball occurs when the ball catches the edge of the curved table, resulting in the point being replayed.
Despite the disappointment in the singles event, Quimcy’s campaign at the Asian Games is not over. The Indian has another opportunity to claim a medal when she competes in the mixed doubles bronze-medal match alongside Mohamed Anas Imran Beg.
The Indian duo will face Vietnam’s Nguyen Hoang Minh Tan and Trinh Gia Nghi in the bronze-medal contest.
Quimcy, who is making her Asian Games debut, will now turn her attention to the mixed doubles event. Having come close to a singles podium finish, she and Mohamed Anas Imran Beg will look to put the narrow defeat behind them and make the most of their remaining opportunity.
The mixed doubles contest will provide Quimcy with another chance to finish her debut Asian Games campaign with a medal.
