Jay Meena wins historic Asian Games bronze in soft tennis, PM Modi congratulates
Synopsis
Jay Meena has done what no Indian soft tennis player had done before — won an Asian Games medal. The Madhya Pradesh player's bronze in Nagoya caps a decade of firsts: the first Indian to medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships, the first at the Asian Soft Tennis Championships, and now the first on the Asian Games podium. PM Modi's congratulations on X signal the national significance of a milestone that was built quietly, one 'first' at a time.
Key Takeaways
Jay Meena won bronze in the Men's Individual soft tennis event at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 23 September , becoming India's first-ever Asian Games medallist in the sport.
His campaign ended with a 2-4 semifinal loss to Japan's Takuya Kurosaka ; the bronze was secured by reaching the last four.
He staged a memorable quarterfinal comeback, recovering from 3-5 down in the deciding game against Sherwin Nuguit to win 4-3 .
PM Narendra Modi congratulated Meena via a post on X , calling it 'a historic achievement for Indian Soft Tennis.' Meena also holds India's first-ever medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships (2024, mixed doubles bronze) and was the first Indian to medal at the Asian Soft Tennis Championships (2025).
This is Meena's third Asian Games , having previously competed at Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022 .
Jay Meena etched his name into Indian sporting history on Wednesday, 23 September, becoming the country's first-ever Asian Games medallist in soft tennis after claiming bronze in the Men's Individual event in Nagoya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi swiftly congratulated the Madhya Pradesh player, calling the feat 'a historic achievement for Indian Soft Tennis.'
'A historic achievement for Indian Soft Tennis! Congratulations to Jay Meena on winning Bronze in the Men's Individual event and becoming India's first-ever Asian Games medallist in Soft Tennis. His achievement marks a memorable new chapter for the sport in India. May this medal inspire many more youngsters to take up Soft Tennis and excel. Best wishes to him for the journey ahead,' Modi said in a post on X.
How the Bronze Was Won
Meena's campaign in Nagoya ended at the semifinal stage, where he suffered a 2-4 defeat against Japan's Takuya Kurosaka. However, by reaching the last four, the bronze medal was already guaranteed. The quarterfinal contest proved to be the tournament's standout moment for the Indian — facing elimination after falling to a 3-5 deficit in the deciding game against Sherwin Nuguit, Meena reeled off four consecutive points to seal a 4-3 comeback victory and advance to the semifinals.
A Career Built From Unlikely Beginnings
Meena's path to Asian Games glory was anything but conventional. He had initially set his sights on cricket before being introduced to soft tennis at Pioneer Public School in Dewas. He reportedly began by watching players on court and later served as a ball boy before picking up a racket himself. By the age of 14, he was already competing internationally in Japan — the birthplace of soft tennis — a remarkable early indicator of his potential.
He steadily advanced through school, district, state, and national competitions. In 2022, he claimed the men's singles gold at the 36th National Games in Gujarat, consolidating his standing as one of India's premier soft tennis players.
A Record of Asian and World Firsts
Meena had previously reached the quarterfinals of the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and represented India in the team event. The following year, in 2024, he partnered Aadhya Tiwari to win bronze in mixed doubles at the World Soft Tennis Championships — India's first-ever medal at that tournament. In 2025, he became the first Indian to win a medal at the Asian Soft Tennis Championships, securing bronze in men's singles and going on to collect four medals at the continental championships.
India's Maiden Asian Games Soft Tennis Medal
Now competing at his third Asian Games — having previously appeared at Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022 — Meena has delivered the biggest milestone of his career and opened a new chapter for the sport in India. This bronze is not merely a personal triumph; it is the culmination of years of quiet, persistent groundwork that has elevated soft tennis from near-obscurity to the Asian Games podium. Attention will now turn to whether this landmark result can spur greater institutional support and participation in the sport across the country.
Point of View
But the deeper story is structural neglect. Soft tennis has existed in India for decades, yet it took one player's near-solitary effort — progressing from ball boy to Asian Games medallist — to put it on the national map. The sport has no dedicated federal academy, no marquee domestic league, and minimal broadcast visibility. Modi's congratulatory post is welcome, but the real test of institutional seriousness is whether this medal triggers funding and grassroots infrastructure, or whether soft tennis returns to the margins the moment the Asian Games spotlight moves on.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jay Meena and what did he achieve at the Asian Games?
Jay Meena is a soft tennis player from Madhya Pradesh who won bronze in the Men's Individual event at the Asian Games in Nagoya on 23 September, becoming India's first-ever Asian Games medallist in soft tennis. He is a three-time Asian Games participant, having previously competed at Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022.
How did Jay Meena secure the bronze medal in Nagoya?
Meena reached the semifinals by overcoming Sherwin Nuguit in the quarterfinals with a dramatic comeback from 3-5 down in the deciding game, winning the last four points for a 4-3 victory. He then lost 2-4 to Japan's Takuya Kurosaka in the semifinal, with the bronze confirmed by virtue of his last-four finish.
What did PM Modi say about Jay Meena's achievement?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a congratulatory message on X, calling it 'a historic achievement for Indian Soft Tennis' and expressing hope that the medal would inspire more youngsters to take up the sport. He wished Meena the best for the journey ahead.
What other historic firsts does Jay Meena hold in soft tennis?
Meena was India's first-ever medallist at the World Soft Tennis Championships, winning bronze in mixed doubles with Aadhya Tiwari in 2024. He was also the first Indian to win a medal at the Asian Soft Tennis Championships in 2025, collecting four medals at that continental event.
How did Jay Meena get started in soft tennis?
Meena initially aspired to be a cricketer before being introduced to soft tennis at Pioneer Public School in Dewas. He reportedly began by watching players on court and working as a ball boy, then took up the sport himself and was competing internationally in Japan by the age of 14.
