Jay Meena Makes History at Asian Games 2026, Secures India’s First-Ever Soft Tennis Medal

India has added a new sport to its Asian Games medal list after Jay Meena created history in soft tennis at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.

Meena defeated the Philippines’ Sherwin Nuguit 4-3 in a dramatic men’s singles quarterfinal on Wednesday, September 23, securing his place in the semifinals and, in the process, guaranteeing India at least a bronze medal. The achievement is historic because India had never won an Asian Games medal in soft tennis before Meena’s breakthrough. His victory not only takes him into the last four but also ensures that soft tennis will now become the latest sport to contribute to India’s Asian Games medal tally.

Meena’s quarterfinal against Nuguit proved to be a closely contested battle, with neither player able to establish complete control over the contest. The Indian eventually prevailed 4-3, earning his place in the semifinals. The victory was particularly significant given the importance of the knockout stage. With only four players remaining after the quarterfinals, Meena’s progression automatically guaranteed him a place on the podium.

Regardless of the result in his semifinal, the Indian will leave Aichi-Nagoya with an Asian Games medal. For Indian soft tennis, it is a landmark moment.

From a New Discipline to a Historic Medal

Soft tennis is making its appearance on the Asian Games programme in Aichi-Nagoya, making Meena’s achievement even more significant for the Indian contingent. The competition schedule began with the national team qualification phase on September 18, followed by the national team semifinals and final on September 20. The mixed doubles competition was held on September 21, before the individual singles events began with qualification on September 22.

The men’s singles quarterfinals, semifinals and final were scheduled for September 23. Meena has therefore reached the decisive stage of the inaugural Asian Games soft tennis campaign with history already secured.

Meena's semifinal was against Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka, and the Japanese player progressed to the final after winning the contest. The latest result recorded the semifinal as Kurosaka defeating Meena 3-0, with the individual games ending 5-3, 4-1 and 4-1. Meena was unable to produce another comeback after his quarterfinal thriller, but the semifinal defeat does not take away from the significance of his campaign.

By reaching the last four, he had already accomplished something no Indian soft tennis player had done at the Asian Games before. The bronze medal was assured from the moment he defeated Nuguit.

A Landmark Moment for Indian Soft Tennis

India's Asian Games campaigns have traditionally been associated with sports such as shooting, athletics, wrestling, boxing, badminton, hockey, kabaddi and weightlifting. Meena's achievement adds soft tennis to that expanding list. The significance goes beyond one individual result. A first Asian Games medal can provide an important landmark for a discipline seeking greater recognition and competitive depth in the country.

Meena's run also demonstrates the importance of performing in knockout situations, where a single match can determine whether an athlete continues fighting for a medal or exits the competition. Against Nuguit, Meena managed to navigate a seven-game contest and emerge on the right side of the result.

The quarterfinal victory ensured that Meena's name would be permanently associated with Indian soft tennis history. He became the first Indian to win an Asian Games medal in soft tennis, guaranteeing at least a bronze before stepping onto the court for his semifinal. Although the semifinal against Kurosaka ended in defeat, Meena's achievement remains one of India's notable breakthroughs at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

The result also means India's medal haul at these Games has expanded into another sport, underlining the breadth of the country's participation across disciplines. For Meena, the journey may have ended in the semifinals, but his Asian Games campaign has already delivered a lasting milestone.

Jay Meena has not just won a medal. He has opened India's Asian Games medal account in soft tennis for the first time.