Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew advanced to the round of 16 at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday, defeating India’s Lakshya Sen in a hard-fought men’s singles match. The Channel News Asia reported that the encounter at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium concluded with a 21-12, 15-21, 21-14 victory for the world number 13 in 65 minutes.
A Tactical Three-Game Battle
Loh, a former world champion, opened the match with dominance, utilizing precise drop shots and powerful smashes to secure the first game. Sen, who had previously earned a bronze in the team event, adjusted his tactics in the second game by adopting a more aggressive approach. This shift forced several unforced errors from the Singaporean, allowing Sen to level the match and push it to a decider.
In the final game, Loh regained control early, establishing an 8-3 lead. Despite a late surge from Sen, who narrowed the gap to 13-14 after winning four consecutive points, Loh maintained his composure. According to Business Standard, the Singaporean surged ahead to 16-14 and closed the match with three well-constructed points.
Stakes and Tournament Context
The defeat marks a disappointing individual exit for Sen, who has previously found success at the Commonwealth Games and the Paris Olympics. For Loh, the win is a significant milestone, representing his first singles victory at the Asian Games in two attempts. He will face Malaysia’s Justin Hoh in the next round. This exit follows a difficult week for the Indian badminton contingent, which also saw the early departure of the top-seeded men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.