Hangzhou: Dipika Pallikal and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu clinched the gold medal in the squash mixed doubles event at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, making history as the first pair to achieve this feat.
The Indian pair defeated Malaysia's Aifa Binti Azman and Mohammad Kamal in a roller-coaster final by 2-0.
This was the first mixed doubles event in squash at the Games. This was India's second team gold in squash at the 19th Games after the top finish of the men's team.
“Indian Squash Reigns Supreme! Our dynamic mixed doubles team of Dipika Pallikal and Harinder clinches GOLD, defeating Malaysia by a score of 2-0 in the final at #AsianGames2022!", SAI Media wrote on X.
Dipika bagged two medals, a bronze in the women's team event besides the mixed doubles gold. The 32-year-old now boats of a total of six medals, including one gold and one silver and four bronze medals across four editions of the Asian Games.
India has showcased an exceptional performance at the 2023 Asian Games, achieving its best-ever medal count in the tournament's history. As of October 5, India has amassed a remarkable tally of 83 medals, with 20 gold, 31 silver, and 32 bronze medals.
Earlier in the day, Indian archers Jyothi Vennam, Aditi Swami, and Parneet Kaur won the gold medal in the women's compound archery team.