Nagoya, Sept 19:
India’s Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza moved within one victory of securing the country’s first Asian Games medal in teqball after reaching the women’s singles semifinals at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
The 24-year-old topped Group A after defeating Japan’s top seed Yuina Sakamoto 2-1 and Cambodia’s Koemyean DY 2-0. Her group-topping performance earned her a direct place in the semifinals.
Dsouza will face Indonesia’s Sumaya in the semifinal on Saturday. Victory will guarantee India at least a silver medal, while a defeat would leave her with an opportunity to claim bronze.
Teqball is making its Asian Games debut in Aichi-Nagoya. The sport combines elements of football and table tennis and is played on a curved table, with players using most parts of the body except the hands and arms to return the ball.
Dsouza and Mohammed Anas Imran Beg also competed in the mixed doubles event. The Indian pair lost their quarterfinal but remain in contention for a bronze medal after winning their repechage match.