Jay Meena Creates History With India’s First Asian Games Soft Tennis Medal

Jay Meena created history on Wednesday by securing India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis. He won bronze in the men’s singles event.

Meena lost 2-4 to Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka in the semifinal. His historic medal followed a thrilling quarter-final comeback against Sherwin Nuguit.

Meena trailed 3-5 in the deciding game against Nuguit. He then produced a remarkable fightback, winning the next four points. He clinched the quarter-final 4-3 to reach the last four.

Jay Meena’s path to soft tennis began unexpectedly. Meena initially wanted to become a cricketer. At Pioneer Public School in Dewas, he discovered a squash court. Curiosity drew him towards the sport.

Jay Meena first watched players and worked as a ball boy. He later took up the game and progressed through school and district competitions. He then reached the state and national levels.

By 14, Meena had begun competing internationally in Japan, the home of soft tennis. He announced himself nationally by winning men’s singles gold at the 36th National Games in Gujarat in 2022. He contributed to Madhya Pradesh’s medal-winning campaigns in the men’s team and doubles events.

In 2025, Meena became the national men’s singles champion. At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, he reached the singles quarter-finals and represented India in the team event.

In 2024, he partnered Aadhya Tiwari to win India’s first World Soft Tennis Championships medal, taking mixed doubles bronze. He secured another milestone at the 2025 Asian Soft Tennis Championships by winning men’s singles bronze. He went on to collect four medals at the continental event.

The TAGG athlete is making his third Asian Games appearance after Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022.

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