CNMSports

Asian Games: PM Modi Congratulates Jay Meena On Historic Bronze In Soft Tennis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Jay Meena on Wednesday after the Indian soft tennis player created history by becoming the countrys first-ever Asian Games medallist in the sport. A historic achievement for Indian Soft Tennis! Congratulations to Jay Meena on winning Bronze in the Mens Individual event and becoming Indias first-ever Asian Games medallist in Soft Tennis. His achievement marks a memorable new chapter for the sport in India. May this medal inspire many more youngsters to take up Soft Tennis and excel. Best wishes to him for the journey ahead, PM Modi said in a post on X. Meena secured the historic bronze after his campaign ended with a 2-4 defeat to Japans Takuya Kurosaka in the mens singles semifinal in Nagoya on Wednesday. The Indian produced one of the tournaments memorable comebacks in the quarterfinals, recovering from a 3-5 deficit in the deciding game against Sherwin Nuguit. Meena won the next four points to complete a 4-3 victory and seal his place in the last four, while also guaranteeing India its maiden Asian Games medal in soft tennis. The bronze adds another landmark to Meenas steadily rising career in the sport. His journey began almost by accident. Initially aspiring to become a cricketer, Meena was introduced to soft tennis after joining Pioneer Public School in Dewas. He first watched players on the court and later helped as a ball boy before taking up the sport himself. He progressed through school and district-level competitions before moving on to state and national events. By the age of 14, Meena was already competing internationally in Japan, the birthplace of soft tennis. The Madhya Pradesh player won the mens singles gold at the 36th National Games in Gujarat in 2022 and has since established himself as one of Indias leading soft tennis players. His international record has also continued to grow. He reached the mens singles quarterfinals at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and represented India in the team event. In 2024, partnering Aadhya Tiwari, he won a bronze in mixed doubles at the World Soft Tennis Championships, giving India its first-ever medal at the tournament. The Madhya Pradesh player won the mens singles gold at the 36th National Games in Gujarat in 2022 and has since established himself as one of Indias leading soft tennis players. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Now competing at his third Asian Games after appearances at Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022, Meena has added the biggest milestone of his career so far: Indias maiden Asian Games medal in soft tennis. Article Source: IANS