Hangzhou
In what might be his final appearance at the Asian Games, India’s Saurav Ghosal was unable to capitalize on his opportunities and lost 3-1 to Malaysia’s Ng Eain Yew in the gold medal match in Hangzhou.
The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, Ghosal, secured the first game 11-9 but then lost the next three games 9-11, 5-11, 7-11, ultimately settling for the silver medal.
At 37 years old, Ghosal acknowledged that he may not have many more opportunities to compete at the Asian Games. His best chance at winning a singles gold medal slipped away as he narrowly lost 12-10, 11-2, 12-14, 8-11, 9-11 to Abdullah Al-Muzayen in the final.
The Asian Games singles gold medal was the one Ghosal desired the most, but he was defeated by an opponent who displayed more energy, superior skill, and better rhythm.
Expressing his disappointment, Ghosal said, I am really, really disappointed. Won the first game but the second did not go my way. Weird things happened. I gave it my best but it was not to be. He started playing better and imposing himself, and I couldn’t respond to it. I am not sure whether I will be able to be there at the next Asian Games.
Ghosal noted that there were several 50-50 decisions that did not go his way during the match.
One of his regrets will be that squash did not make it to the Olympics, despite the efforts of many players and enthusiasts. Ghosal expressed his disappointment, saying: Which squash player would not have liked to play in the Olympics? But it did not happen.
