Jay Meena Makes History with First Asian Games Bronze in Soft Tennis

Historic Achievement for Indian Soft Tennis

On September 24, Indian soft tennis player Jay Meena made headlines by winning the first-ever bronze medal for India in soft tennis at the Asian Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya. He dedicated this remarkable achievement to his fellow countrymen, emphasizing that it was the culmination of years of dedication from athletes, coaches, families, and everyone involved in the sport's development in India.

Semi-Final Match Details

Meena's journey concluded in the semi-finals after a tough match against Japan's Takuya Kurosaka, where he lost with a score of 3-5, 1-4, 1-4, 4-1, 6-4, 1-4. Despite dropping the first three sets, he managed to win the fourth and fifth sets, narrowing the gap to 2-3 before Kurosaka clinched the sixth set.

Reflections on Hard Work and Support

In an interview, Meena expressed that this medal symbolizes 25-30 years of hard work from his coaches, teammates, and family. He reflected on his previous Asian Games experiences, including a quarter-final exit in 2023, and credited his support system for helping him overcome those challenges. He stated, "This feeling cannot be expressed in words. This is not just a medal; it represents years of effort from everyone involved."

Acknowledgment of Support from Authorities

Meena extended his gratitude to the government, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Amateur Soft Tennis Federation of India, and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for their unwavering support. He highlighted the importance of initiatives like the TAGG (Target Asian Games Group) scheme, which played a crucial role in achieving this milestone. He hopes for continued support to help soft tennis earn more accolades for India.

Looking Ahead

Wishing success to the rest of the Indian contingent in Aichi-Nagoya, Meena expressed confidence that they would surpass India's previous medal tally at the Asian Games. "This is just the beginning. I believe we will bring home many more medals this time," he remarked.

Coach's Perspective

Jay Meena's coach, Sudesh Sangate, credited the historic win to 22 years of hard work. He thanked the Sports Ministry for facilitating training camps in Korea, India, and Japan, which significantly contributed to the team's preparation for the Asian Games.

Current Medal Count

As of now, India has secured a total of 17 medals at the Asian Games, comprising one gold, seven silver, and nine bronze medals.