Nagoya: India’s Jay Meena created history at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Wednesday by winning a bronze medal in the men’s individual soft tennis event, becoming the country’s first-ever Asian Games medallist in the sport.
Meena secured his place in the semifinals after defeating the Philippines’ Sherwin Nuguit 4-3 in a closely contested match.
The historic podium finish marks a significant milestone for Indian soft tennis at the continental multi-sport event. Meena is making his third Asian Games appearance.
Earlier in the competition, Meena began his campaign in Group D with a dominant 4-0 victory over Pakistan’s Arain Hussain.
The bronze medal adds a new chapter to India’s participation in soft tennis at the Asian Games and puts the sport in the spotlight among the country’s emerging sporting disciplines.
PM Modi congratulates Jay Meena
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Meena on his historic bronze-medal performance, describing it as a landmark achievement for Indian soft tennis.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office said Meena’s medal had opened a “memorable new chapter” for the sport in India and expressed hope that the achievement would encourage more youngsters to take up soft tennis.
Modi also extended his best wishes to Meena for his future sporting career.
The medal marks India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis, with Meena’s performance giving the country a historic podium finish in the discipline.
