Sport · Bristol
Bristol-based squash player Eain Yow Ng makes history with Olympic qualification
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Bristol-based athlete Eain Yow Ng has secured his place in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, becoming the first squash player to qualify for the sport's Olympic debut.
Bristol-based squash star Eain Yow Ng has etched his name into the history books by becoming the first player in the sport to officially secure a place at the Olympic Games. The Malaysian athlete achieved the milestone after a commanding performance at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Games in Japan, where he successfully defended his Asian Games title.
His victory, followed by a gold medal in the team event, ensures his participation in the LA28 Games. The achievement serves as a significant turning point for Ng, who has navigated a series of intense personal and professional hurdles over the last two years.
A period of personal resilience
The road to Olympic qualification has been profoundly difficult for Ng. In December 2024, while competing at the World Squash Team Championships in Hong Kong, he received the news that his mother had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. He immediately returned home to support his family, beginning a long and uncertain journey.
Ng credits the strength of his mother, who is now in remission, and the support of his family as his primary motivation. Despite the physical and emotional strain, he has continued to pursue his professional goals with the backing of his close-knit circle, including his long-term coach, Hadrian Stiff.
Building for the future
Reflecting on his historic win, Ng noted that he and Stiff were already scrutinising the performance shortly after the match. The pair are now using the next two years to refine his technique and close the gaps in his game to ensure he is competitive against the world's top ten players.
The athlete, who has faced recent inconsistencies on the PSA Squash Tour, believes his form is finally returning to its peak. With the pressure of Olympic qualification removed, he intends to focus on building stability and consistency on the tour.
“I want to start competing and start beating these top 10 guys more consistently, week in, week out,” Ng said. “That’s the primary aim now.”
Ng will be joined on the journey to Los Angeles by his teammate Sivasangari Subramaniam, who also qualified through the women's singles event. The pair are expected to represent Malaysia with a shared commitment to carrying on the legacy of squash legends like Nicol David, who paved the way for the current generation to compete on the global stage.
Source: Bristol Post — Sport · View original