CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Jai Meena, a resident of Dewas in Madhya Pradesh, has etched his name in Indian sporting history at the Asian Games 2026. He won the bronze medal in the men’s singles soft tennis event, giving India its first Asian Games medal in the sport.
Jai Meena had reached the semifinals after defeating Sherwin Nuguit of the Philippines 4-3 in a thrilling quarterfinal contest. With that win, India’s medal was assured. In the semifinal, he faced Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka, where Jai went down 2-4. Despite the semifinal defeat, he secured the bronze medal.
In the semifinal, Jai lost the first three games before making a strong comeback, winning the fourth and fifth games to try to force his way back into the match. However, the Japanese player won the sixth game to book his place in the final. The match lasted around 45 minutes.
This is Jai Meena’s third Asian Games. He had earlier represented India in the 2018 and 2022 editions as well. In 2024, he also won a bronze medal in mixed doubles at the World Soft Tennis Championships. Jai, who once dreamed of becoming a cricketer, took up soft tennis in school and built a career in the sport. He has now become India’s first Asian Games soft tennis medallist.
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