Jay Meena Makes History: India's First Medal in Soft Tennis at Asian Games!

Jay Meena has made history by winning India's first-ever medal in soft tennis at the Asian Games held in Nagoya. After a thrilling quarter-final comeback, he secured a bronze medal despite losing in the semifinals. His journey from aspiring cricketer to a top soft tennis player is inspiring, showcasing his dedication and talent. Meena's achievements include multiple national titles and international medals, marking him as a significant figure in Indian sports. Read on to learn more about his remarkable story and future prospects in soft tennis.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 23, 2026, 11:59 IST

Historic Achievement in Soft Tennis

Nagoya: On Wednesday, Jay Meena achieved a remarkable milestone by securing India's inaugural medal in soft tennis at the Asian Games. He reached the semifinals but was defeated by Japan's Takuya Kurosaka with a score of 2-4.

Meena's journey to this historic bronze began with a thrilling comeback in the quarter-finals against Sherwin Nuguit, where he was down 3-5 in the final game. He rallied back to win four consecutive points, clinching the match 4-3 and advancing to the semifinals.

Interestingly, Meena's foray into soft tennis was somewhat serendipitous. Initially passionate about cricket, he stumbled upon a soft tennis court at Pioneer Public School in Dewas, where his curiosity led him to watch players and eventually serve as a ball boy.

As he began to play, Meena quickly progressed through school and district competitions, eventually competing at state and national levels. By the age of 14, he was already representing India internationally in Japan, the birthplace of soft tennis.

He solidified his status as one of India's top soft tennis players by winning a gold medal in men's singles at the 36th National Games in Gujarat in 2022. He also played a key role in Madhya Pradesh's success in the Men's Team and Doubles events.

By 2025, he had further enhanced his reputation by becoming the National Champion in Men's Singles. His international success continued at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where he reached the quarter-finals in Men's Singles and participated in the Men's Team event.

In 2024, alongside Aadhya Tiwari, he made history by winning India's first medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships, taking home bronze in mixed doubles.

Meena reached another significant milestone at the Asian Soft Tennis Championships in 2025, becoming the first Indian to earn a medal at these continental championships by reaching the men's singles semi-finals and securing bronze.

He ultimately won four medals at this continental event. As a TAGG (Target Asian Games Group) athlete, Meena is making his third appearance at the Asian Games, having previously represented India in Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022.