Asian Games, Day4: Iran and Indonesia secure a medal. Great anticipation for the semi-finals

NAGOYA, Japan – At the end of the fourth day of the XX Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, which featured the quarter-finals, two countries have already secured a medal by placing two pairs in the semi-finals: Iran in the men’s event and Indonesia in the women’s event. On Day 5, Friday 2 October, the Iranian pairs Golestan/Roghani and Shahi/Jasmshidi will face Naif/Naif (Qatar) and Chin/Aidan Yunus (Malaysia) respectively in the semi-finals. In the women’s event, meanwhile, the Indonesian pairs Putria/Gumulya and Kusuma/Sabatini will face Tsukamoto/Tokumoto (Japan) and Abad/Malazarte (Philippines) respectively.

 

WOMEN’S EVENT The Day 4 quarter-finals featured a convincing victory for Indonesia’s Kusuma/Sabatini over home players Ozawa/Sato, 6-0 6-1. The other Indonesian duo, Putria/Gumulya, defeated Chan/Law (Hong Kong) 6-1 6-2. “We are proud to be part of padel’s debut at the Asian Games,” said Gumulya. “Having already secured a medal for Indonesia is fantastic, but we want to make our country even prouder. We will give our best in tomorrow’s semi-finals and hope we can take another step forward.” Also in the spotlight was the victory of Abad/Malazarte (Philippines) over Najafidehaghi/Mohammadtaghipour (Iran) after a closely contested match that was decided only in the third set, 6-2 3-6 6-2. The women’s quarter-final line-up was completed by a clear victory for Japan’s Tsukamoto/Tokumoto over Fareh/Yamani (Saudi Arabia).

 

MEN’S EVENT Iran secured at least one medal at the Asian Games thanks to victories for Golestan/Roghani and Shahi/Jasmshidi over Ando/Nakamura, 6-4 7-5, and Tomita/Hatakeyama, 6-1 7-6, respectively. Iran therefore eliminated both Japanese pairs remaining in the men’s draw. “There is a lot of pressure in this type of competition,” said Roghani. “This match could secure a medal for our country. There was some pressure. Perhaps we were unable to give our best, but we managed to handle it.” Qatar, with Naif/Naif, reached the semi-finals with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Aljanahi/Alabdulla (United Arab Emirates). Malaysia’s Chin/Aidan Yunus also secured their place in Day 5 with a 6-3 3-6 6-3 victory over Lapidus/Canizares of the Philippines.

 

DAY4 SCHEDULE On Friday 2 October, Court 1 at the Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center will host the four semi-finals (two women’s and two men’s). The programme will begin at 1pm local time. All other matches will be played afterwards.