Dewas athlete Jay Meena has won a bronze medal in soft tennis at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, becoming India’s first Asian Games medallist in the sport.
Meena defeated the Philippines’ Sherwin Nuguite 4-3 in the quarter-final before losing 2-4 to Japan’s Takuya Kurosaka in the semi-final.
His family celebrated the achievement at their home in Dewas. His mother, Sanjana Meena, said she prayed for his success at around 3am before the match. At 4 am, Jay called her and said he would return after winning.
Sanjana said the family became emotional when Jay secured the bronze medal. She recalled his 16 years of hard work in soft tennis.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also congratulated Meena, saying his achievement could encourage more young people in India to take up the sport.
