{
  "id": 9688078,
  "title": "Top seeds Syafiq-Aifa 'robbed' in Asian Games defeat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/top-seeds-syafiq-aifa-robbed-in-asian-games-defeat",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T03:32:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/racquet-sports/2026/09/1540783/top-seeds-syafiq-aifa-robbed-asian-games-defeat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a disappointing Asian Games mixed doubles squash quarter-final, Malaysian top-seeded duo Aifa Azman and Syafiq Kamal were defeated by Hong Kong's Lee Ka Yi and Tang Ming Hong. The loss left Aifa expressing her discontent with several referee decisions that she believed favored her opponents. Aifa questioned the high number of stroke calls awarded to her and Syafiq, stating, \"I just think the rules were a bit weird today. There were just so many strokes over two sets, which I just could not believe.\" She added that playing doubles with four people on the court made it challenging to maintain space, and the decisions should depend on shot clearance after hitting the ball. Syafiq admitted their performance was not up to par, saying, \"We tried our best but our level was just not there. We just have to accept that they were the better pair today.\" Despite their defeat, Ameeshenraj Chandaran and Rachel Arnold advanced to the semi-finals, facing Hong Kong's Toby Tse and Lai Cheuk Nam in the next round.",
  "summary": "NAGOYA: Squash player Aifa Azman made it clear she was unhappy with a number of referee decisions during her mixed doubles quarter-final with partner Syafiq Kamal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games today.",
  "key_points": [
    "Hong Kong pair Lee Ka Yi and Tang Ming Hong win, citing favorable referee decisions.",
    "Ameeshenraj Chandaran and Rachel Arnold advance to semi-finals."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The disputed referee decisions that favored their opponents likely cost Malaysian top-seeds Syafiq Kamal and Aifa Azman their spot in the Asian Games mixed doubles squash semi-finals.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Asian Games 2026: Malaysia enter final stretch with sepak takraw gold shot, Azeem still in 100m hunt",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/asian-games-2026-malaysia-enter-final-stretch-with-sepak-takraw-gold",
        "published": "2026-09-25T03:09:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}