India Wins First-Ever Asian Games Medal in Soft Tennis

India won its first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis on 23 September 2026 when Jay Meena reached the men’s singles semi-finals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. His semi-final berth in the men’s singles event secured at least a bronze medal for India.

Soft Tennis at the Asian Games

Soft tennis is a racket sport that uses a softer rubber ball than lawn tennis and is played in singles and doubles formats. The sport has featured in multi-sport events in Asia, including the Asian Games, where medals are awarded in men’s and women’s events.

Jay Meena’s Route to the Medal

Jay Meena defeated Sherwin Nuguit of the Philippines 4-3 in the quarter-final after a seven-game contest. The quarter-final scores were 0-4, 4-2, 2-4, 5-3, 2-4, and 7-5. Before the quarter-final, he defeated Pakistan’s Arain Hussain 4-0 in men’s singles Group D.

Asian Games Medal Format in Soft Tennis

In soft tennis, reaching the semi-finals in many events guarantees a bronze medal because both losing semi-finalists receive bronze medals. Jay Meena’s result therefore placed India on the medal table in soft tennis for the first time in Asian Games history.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Asian Games are a continental multi-sport event organised by the Olympic Council of Asia.
• Soft tennis originated in Japan and uses a softer ball than standard tennis.
• In many racket events, both semi-final losers receive bronze medals.
• Jay Meena had previously competed in the 2018 and 2022 Asian Games.

Asian Games Participation

Jay Meena’s 2026 appearance was his third Asian Games participation after the 2018 and 2022 editions. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games included men’s singles soft tennis as a medal event.