Nagoya, Sep 2026 : Jay Meena created history on Wednesday by securing India’s first-ever medal in soft tennis at the Asian Games, despite losing 2-4 to Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka in the men’s singles semifinal in Nagoya.
Meena’s historic bronze was confirmed after he produced a remarkable comeback in the quarter-final against Sherwin Nuguit. Trailing 3-5 in the deciding game, the Indian refused to give up and won the next four points to complete a dramatic 4-3 victory and book his place in the last four.
Although Meena’s campaign ended with a semifinal defeat to Kurosaka, his run assured India of a landmark bronze medal in a sport in which the country had never previously stood on the Asian Games podium.
Meena’s rise in soft tennis has been an unusual journey. He initially had ambitions of becoming a cricketer and had little connection with soft tennis. His introduction to the sport came after he joined Pioneer Public School in Dewas, where he encountered a soft tennis court.
Initially drawn to the game as a spectator, Meena began by working as a ball boy before gradually taking up the sport himself. His interest developed into competitive success as he moved through school and district-level tournaments before progressing to state and national competitions.
By the age of 14, Meena had already begun competing internationally in Japan, the traditional stronghold of soft tennis.
He established himself as one of India’s leading players with 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 medal-winning campaigns in the men’s team and doubles events.
His progress continued in 2025 when he became the national champion in men’s singles. Internationally, he had already made his mark at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where he reached the quarter-finals of the men’s singles competition and also represented India in the men’s team event.
In 2024, Meena partnered Aadhya Tiwari to win a bronze medal in mixed doubles at the World Soft Tennis Championships, giving India its first-ever medal at the global event.
He added another historic achievement at the Asian Soft Tennis Championships in 2025, becoming the first Indian to win a medal at the continental championships. He reached the men’s singles semifinals to secure bronze and went on to finish the tournament with four medals.
A TAGG (Target Asian Games Group) athlete, Meena is now competing at his third Asian Games. He previously represented India at Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022.
His bronze in Nagoya marks another significant milestone in a career that has steadily elevated Indian soft tennis on the international stage.
