Jay Meena made history at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya by winning India’s first-ever bronze medal in soft tennis. His great run ended in the men’s singles semifinals on Wednesday when he lost to Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka 2-4. But that was enough to earn India a historic bronze medal.
Meena’s achievement is a landmark achievement for Indian soft tennis, which has not received as much attention as many other sports in the Asian Games. His journey to the podium included a spectacular quarter-final comeback that demonstrated his fighting spirit and helped him make it into the final four.
Jay Meena History In Nagoya
Meena earned his place in the semifinals after a remarkable comeback against Sherwin Nuguit in the quarter-final. The Indian was down 3-5 for the deciding game and appeared to be on the brink.
Instead, Meena produced an amazing comeback and won the next four points to win 4-3. The comeback secured his place in the semifinals and, in the process, India’s first ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis.
His semifinal opponent, Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka, proved too strong and Meena went down 2-4. But the semifinal performance meant Meena ended up with a historic bronze medal.
The result is a new record in his life and one for Indian sports history books.
From Cricket Aspirant to Soft Tennis Star
Meena’s journey to the Asian Games podium is particularly interesting because soft tennis was not his original sporting ambition. He was initially interested in cricket and dreamed of becoming a cricketer.
His career moved on after being admitted to Pioneer Public School in Dewas. It was there he came across a soft tennis court and was interested in the sport. He first watched players and then started to help out on the court as a ball boy.
That early exposure eventually turned into a passion for playing the sport. Meena went through school and district competitions before moving to state and national tournaments.
His development was rapid. At the age of 14, Meena was already competing internationally in Japan, the birthplace of soft tennis. Those initial experiences paved the way for what would end up being a successful international career.
National Games Gold And Rising Success
Meena established himself as one of the best players in India’s soft tennis scene with a gold medal in the men’s singles at the 36th National Games in Gujarat in 2022. He also played a role in Madhya Pradesh’s medal-winning performance in the men’s team and doubles competitions.
His progress continued in the next years. Meena had added another great achievement in 2025 by winning the men’s singles national championship.
His Asian Games journey had already begun before his historic campaign in Nagoya. Meena reached the quarter-finals of the men’s singles competition at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, and also represented India in the men’s team event.
More Historic Milestones
Meena’s latest Asian Games medal is not his first major breakthrough on the international stage. In 2024, he teamed with Aadhya Tiwari at the World Soft Tennis Championships and won a bronze medal in mixed doubles.
It was a big achievement for India in that it marked India’s first medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships.
Meena continued to break new ground at the 2025 Asian Soft Tennis Championships. He was the first Indian to win a medal at the continental championships after winning bronze in men’s singles.
He went on to win four medals at the continental event, further establishing himself as one of India’s most successful soft tennis players.
Third Asian Games Appearance
The Asian Games 2026 campaign is another important chapter in Meena’s international career. TAGG (Target Asian Games Group) athlete is making his third appearance at the continental multi-sport event.
Before Nagoya, he had represented India at the Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games. His experience from those tournaments helped him return to the biggest stage in Asian sport with another chance to compete against some of the continent’s strongest players.
Meena went a step further, reaching the semifinals and winning India’s first Asian Games medal in soft tennis.
His bronze medal is, therefore, not just a personal goal but also an important one for Indian soft tennis. Meena’s rise from a little game of tennis by chance to standing on the Asian Games podium has given a new chapter to India’s campaign in Nagoya.
