Jay Meena clinches maiden soft tennis medal for India at Asian Games 2026
Jay Meena has etched his name in Indian sports history.
Jay Meena created history at the ongoing Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, by clinching India’s first-ever soft tennis medal at the continental tournament.
The 26-year-old Madhya Pradesh native settled for bronze after losing to Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka in the men’s singles semi-final on Wednesday.
Meena, representing India at his third Asian Games, had reached the semi-final by defeating the Philippines’ Sherwin Nuguit in a seven-game quarter-final thriller. Meena clinched a 4-3 win (0-4, 4-2, 2-4, 4-2, 5-3, 2-4, 7-5) to secure a maiden medal.
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However, the match against Kurosaka was a step too far for Meena. The Indian athlete lost the first three games but attempted a spirited comeback, winning the fourth and fifth. Nevertheless, Kurosaka won the sixth game to secure a 4-2 win (3-5, 1-4, 1-4, 4-1, 6-4, 1-4) in 45 minutes.
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Meena’s rising profile
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Already considered one of India’s finest soft tennis players, Meena has taken another step towards further enhancing his growing recognition.
He won a gold medal at the 2022 National Games and reached the quarter-finals in the men’s singles event at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games. He also won bronze at the mixed doubles event at the 2024 World Soft Tennis Championship.
What medal did Jay Meena win at the Asian Games 2026?
He won a bronze medal in the men’s singles soft tennis event.
Who won India’s first-ever soft tennis medal at the Asian Games?
Jay Meena won India’s first-ever soft tennis medal at the Asian Games, securing a historic bronze medal in the men’s singles event at the Aichi-Nagoya Games 2026.
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