Full Breakdown
Quimcy Dsouza Nears India’s First Asian Games Medal in Teqball
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Core Event: Historic Medal Bid in Teqball’s Asian Games Debut
On September 18, 2026 at Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center, 24-year-old test engineer Quimcy Dsouza reached the women’s singles semifinals of teqball, the sport’s debut at the Asian Games. She beat Japan’s world-ranked No. 7 Yuina Sakamoto 2-1 (10-12, 12-11, 13-11) and then defeated Cambodia’s Koemyean Dy 2-0 (12-9, 12-7), topping Group A and earning a direct semifinal berth. The semifinal against Indonesia’s Ima Sumaya is set for September 19; a win guarantees a medal, while a loss still offers a bronze-medal match.
Background & Context: Teqball’s Rise and India’s Emerging Presence
Teqball, created in Hungary in 2014, combines football skills with a curved table. The International Teqball Federation (FITEQ) was founded in 2017, and the sport entered the Asian Games program for the first time in Aichi-Nagoya 2026, with five disciplines and 16 nations. India fielded three athletes: Quimcy Dsouza (women’s singles, mixed doubles), Mohamed Anas Imran Beg and Declan Marshall Gonsalves (men’s doubles, mixed doubles). The men’s pair previously earned India’s first teqball medal—a bronze at the 2024 World Championships.
Data & Statistics: Performance and Rankings
- Match scores (Sept 18): Sakamoto 10-12, 12-11, 13-11; Dy 12-9, 12-7.
- Group outcome: Dsouza finished top of Group A, receiving a bye to the semifinals.
- World ranking: No. 24 globally, a career high.
- National achievements: Seven-time Indian champion; ninth place at the 2026 World Championships.
Official Statements & Responses
Officials note that state and club participation are crucial for the sport’s growth and that a medal would raise its profile nationally. Athletes highlighted preparation challenges, especially training separately in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
Verbatim Quote
- “These guys (Anas and Declan) usually train in Mumbai; I train in Bengaluru. So it makes a lot of difference when you have the country’s top three playing together,” — Quimcy Dsouza
What’s Next: Upcoming Semifinal and Medal Prospects
The women’s singles semifinal on September 19 pits Dsouza against Indonesia’s Ima Sumaya. A victory secures India’s first Asian Games teqball medal; a loss still provides a chance to contest bronze. Dsouza will also compete in mixed doubles with Mohamed Anas Imran Beg, beginning with a group-stage win over the Philippines pair. The outcomes will determine whether India achieves a historic podium finish in teqball’s debut at the continental Games.