Sumaya Reaches Semifinals, Indonesia’s Teqball Team Eyes Asian Games Medal

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian women’s teqball athlete Sumaya advanced to the semifinals of the women’s singles event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The result keeps Indonesia’s hopes alive of winning its first medal in the sport in Asian Games history.

Sumaya secured her semifinal spot after progressing through the group and repechage rounds at Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center on Friday, September 18. In her first Group B match, Sumaya defeated Lebanon’s Dandal Kamar 12-9, 12-11.

However, Sumaya lost to Myanmar’s Wai Khin Hnin 10-12, 8-12. She then bounced back in her final match by defeating Kyrgyzstan’s Aidana Otorbaeva in three games.

Sumaya won 6-12, 12-6, 12-6 and finished second in the group stage. The position meant Sumaya had to go through the repechage round to advance to the semifinals.

She faced Cambodia’s DY Koemyean and won in straight games, 12-8, 12-7. In the semifinals, Sumaya will face India’s Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza for a place in the final.

Coach Fitrah Muhammad said Sumaya had shown progress and confidence during preparations. According to Fitrah, Sumaya was able to use the matches to test several attacking strategies that could be used in her next match.

“Her confidence is already high, especially when she has a significant lead over her opponent. She tried several attacks that she could potentially use and refine for the next match,” Fitrah said in a statement received by RRI on Friday, September 18, 2026.

Sumaya said she was grateful after securing her place in the semifinals of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. “I will stay focused, work on my weaknesses, and give my best in the semifinals,” she said.

She acknowledged that the next match would not be easy but maintained a high target in her Asian Games debut. “My target is a gold medal and to make history as the first Indonesian teqball athlete to win an Asian Games medal,” she concluded. (Diffa Sephiawardhani)