Sivasangari's LA28 Olympic ticket adds extra motivation in gold defence
NAGOYA: National player S. Sivasangari admits the automatic qualification spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA28) has given her extra motivation as she bids to defend her gold medal.
Nagoya, Malaysia - National squash player S. Sivasangari has expressed how the automatic qualification to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA28) has motivated her to defend her gold medal. The world No. 5 emphasized that both the Olympic and Asian Games titles hold equal significance to her, as representing her home country of Malaysia is of utmost importance.
Squash is set to make its debut as an Olympic sport at LA28, with the champions of the men's and women's singles events from this year's Asian Games securing automatic qualification for the global sporting event.
Sivasangari recently shared her thoughts after a training session at Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena. She acknowledged that this year's Asian Games qualification spot gives her additional motivation to secure an Olympic ticket, while admitting that it also brings a certain level of pressure, as everyone aspires to win a medal and earn a spot at the Olympics. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old insists on focusing on her preparations, taking one match at a time, and doing what is necessary.
A confident Sivasangari enters the Aichi-Nagoya tournament as the defending champion, having won the women's singles gold medal at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games. She also contributed to Malaysia's gold medal in the women's team event in the same competition. The squash star underwent intense summer training sessions in Prague, which she credits for improving her performance at the London and Qatar PSA tournaments earlier this month. These appearances have bolstered her confidence ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya event.
Sivasangari reached the semi-finals in both the London and Qatar tournaments, further highlighting her positive form heading into the Asian Games. She is looking forward to her third Asian Games and aims to fight for the title. With a first-round bye, Sivasangari is scheduled to begin her campaign against the winner of the China's Liu Zi Yi and Sri Lanka's Veera Samiyel Chanithma Sinaly match on Thursday.
Japan's second seed, Satomi Watanabe, is anticipated to be one of her main challengers for the women's singles gold medal.
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