Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Jay Meena Wins India’s First Asian Games Soft Tennis Medal
Jay Meena won a bronze medal for India in soft tennis at the Asian Games.
This was India’s first medal in that sport at the event.
When Jay was young, he was removed from school after getting into trouble with a firecracker prank.
Another school let him join its sports academy and learn soft tennis.
His coach, Sudesh Sangte, helped him develop his speed, strength and skills.
Jay reached the semifinal but lost to Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka.
The reports give different scores for that match, saying either 2-3 or 2-4.
Jay says the medal feels like an Olympic medal because soft tennis is not an Olympic sport.
He hopes his success encourages more children to play and helps the sport grow in India.
Jay Meena won India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis, taking bronze at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
The 26-year-old discovered soft tennis after being rusticated from school for a firecracker prank and other mischief.
Meena lost his semifinal to Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka, with reports differing over whether the score was 2-3 or 2-4.
He credited his family, coach Sudesh Sangte and India’s sports support for helping him reach the podium.
Meena hopes the medal inspires young Indians and leads to soft tennis being included in the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.
- Who
- Indian soft tennis player Jay Meena, coached by Sudesh Sangte.
- What
- Meena won a bronze medal, giving India its first Asian Games medal in soft tennis.
- When
- On Wednesday during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
- Where
- Nagoya, Japan.
- Why
- He reached the semifinal and secured bronze; he hopes the achievement brings attention to soft tennis and inspires young Indian players.
- Medallist
- Jay Meena
- Age
- 26
- Medal
- Bronze
- Historic achievement
- India’s first Asian Games medal in soft tennis
- Semifinal opponent
- Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka
- Reported score
- One report says 2-3; another says 2-4
- Future goal
- Soft tennis inclusion in the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad
- Coach
- Sudesh Sangte
