Malaysian squash star S. Sivasangari Subramaniam is determined to make history at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games (LA28), turning a remarkable comeback from a career-threatening car accident into an opportunity to bring the country its first-ever Olympic gold medal.
The 27-year-old made history at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after successfully defending her women’s singles squash title and securing qualification for the sport’s Olympic debut at LA28. Her victory marked another significant milestone in a journey shaped by resilience, hard work and unwavering determination.
“From that accident to making it to the Olympics feels unreal,” Sivasangari said in an interview with the Professional Squash Association (PSA).
She recalled the difficult period following the accident, which left her hospitalised with a fractured neck and spinal injuries more than four years ago. At the time, she feared she might never return to the sport she had dedicated much of her life to.
“It was hard for me. I still remember those two weeks in hospital. I thought I would never play squash again because of my injuries,” she said. “But I believe a lot in hard work. I think that habit has helped me get to where I am today.”
A Remarkable Comeback to the Top
The accident happened in 2022, shortly before Sivasangari was due to represent Malaysia at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Her injuries forced her away from competitive squash for an extended period, casting uncertainty over her sporting future.
However, through rehabilitation, determination and consistent effort, she gradually rebuilt her career and returned to competing at the highest level.
Her comeback has since seen her rise to a career-high World No. 5 in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Rankings, establishing herself among the leading players in women’s squash.
Her qualification for LA28 is particularly significant as squash will make its Olympic debut at the Games, giving athletes in the sport an opportunity to compete for Olympic medals for the first time.
Asian Games Gold Secures Olympic Qualification
Sivasangari arrived at the 2026 Asian Games as the top seed and defending champion, carrying considerable expectations as she pursued another gold medal and an Olympic qualification spot.
She rose to the challenge by defeating India’s Anahat Singh in the women’s singles final, winning 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 to secure a straight-games victory. The triumph allowed her to defend the title she previously won at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Reflecting on the achievement, Sivasangari said the victory brought both happiness and relief after months of preparation and pressure.
“I’m happy because I got the Olympic ticket. But in terms of the goal, it’s more relief because I was expected to win,” she said. “I was seeded number one, having to defend my title, so there was a lot of pressure going into it.”
She added that managing the mental demands of the competition was just as important as being physically prepared.
“Physically, everyone can play; everyone’s fit. But on this big stage, I think who can handle it mentally will win the tournament. I’m happy I did it this week.”
Her victory made her the first female squash player to secure qualification for LA28, marking a historic moment for Malaysian squash as the sport prepares for its Olympic debut.
A Dream to Make Malaysian Sporting History
While qualifying for the Olympics is already a major achievement, Sivasangari has set her sights on an even greater goal: winning Malaysia’s first Olympic gold medal.
Despite the country’s achievements across various sports, including badminton, Malaysia has yet to win a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games.
Sivasangari believes winning gold in Los Angeles would be a defining moment for her, her family and the country.
“It would be huge!” she said. “Every Malaysian athlete would dream of winning the first gold medal for Malaysia. I hope to do so. It would mean a lot to me, and a lot to my family.”
She also expressed gratitude towards the people who supported her throughout her recovery and professional career, emphasising that the achievement would belong to more than just herself.
“I just want to give back to the people who helped me get to where I am today, obviously to myself as well. But also, to so many people around me who helped me to achieve this.”
“It would mean the world to be the first Olympic gold medallist from Malaysia.”
Sivasangari also paid tribute to Malaysian squash legend Datuk Nicol David, an eight-time world champion, saying she believes Malaysia might already have secured Olympic gold had squash been included in the Games during Nicol’s competitive career.
Family, Coaches and Support Behind Her Success
Throughout her journey, Sivasangari has credited her parents, Subramaniam Kaniappan and Valli Nagappan, for their sacrifices and unwavering support, particularly during the difficult period following her accident.
Her parents were present in Japan to witness her Asian Games victory, making the achievement especially emotional.
“Thankfully, my parents are here with me. I’m happy that I’m also giving back something to them. It’s very emotional,” she said. “They’ve been there for me when I was down and now, at the highest moment, they’re here as well.”
She also acknowledged the important role played by her partner and fellow professional squash player Baptiste Masotti, who helped her manage the pressure surrounding the tournament.
Sivasangari further credited her coach, former World No. 1 Greg Gaultier, for improving her game through their work together over the past year and a half.
Beyond her sporting achievements, she also expressed gratitude for her parents’ guidance in her education, including her graduation from Cornell University.
Road to Gold Programme Provides Crucial Support
Sivasangari highlighted the importance of Malaysia’s Road to Gold programme, which supports elite athletes as they work towards the country’s first Olympic gold medal.
The programme provides assistance in areas such as training, nutrition and recovery, helping athletes prepare for major competitions while reducing some of the financial pressures associated with professional sport.
“The Road to Gold programme was introduced a couple of years back with the goal of getting the first Olympic gold from Malaysia,” she said. “I’m very grateful for them. They’ve been supporting everything from training to nutrition to recovery, everything!”
She added that this type of support was particularly valuable in squash, where athletes may not always receive the same level of resources available in more widely funded sports.
“This is the kind of support we need as athletes. It’s very rare to see squash players getting this kind of support.”
Looking Ahead to LA28
Despite securing her Olympic qualification, Sivasangari remains focused on improving her performance before the Games.
Her immediate ambition is to break into the world’s top three, with the ultimate goal of becoming World No. 1.
“The next goal for me is to break into the top three,” she said. “I told myself, ‘I’m going to break into the top five.’ I did it. So, this year, hopefully, I could break into the top three.”
She also highlighted the potential impact of Olympic inclusion on Malaysian squash, particularly for younger players hoping to pursue the sport professionally.
Her Malaysian teammate Ng Eain Yow also secured LA28 qualification after winning the men’s singles squash gold medal at the Asian Games, marking a historic double achievement for the country.
“There will be a lot of interest in squash after this, and I think that is probably the biggest thing,” Sivasangari said.
“I hope there will be a lot of opportunities for both me and Yow but also all of our Malaysian teammates and Malaysian squash in general.”
As the countdown to LA28 continues, Sivasangari’s journey stands as a powerful reminder of what determination and perseverance can achieve. From fearing she might never play again to earning her place at the Olympics, she now has the opportunity to pursue a dream that could change the history of Malaysian sports.
Source: PSA Squash Tour
