SportsPosted at: Sep 16 2026 10:12PM


Bhavani Devi leads India's historic 20-member fencing squad at Asian Games

New Delhi, Sep 16 (UNI) Olympian C A Bhavani Devi will spearhead India's historic 20-member fencing contingent at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, as the country makes its biggest-ever representation in the sport at the continental Games.
Bhavani, India's first fencer to qualify for the Olympics, will lead the women's Sabre challenge alongside Shreya Gupta, Jeferlin J S and Shruti Joshi.
Her presence adds experience to a contingent that marks a significant expansion of Indian fencing at the Asian Games, with 20 fencers qualifying across Sabre, Épée and Foil disciplines for the first time.
The Indian contingent, comprising 20 athletes, five coaches and a physiotherapist, departed for Japan on Wednesday to begin preparations for the Games. The remaining team officials and delegates will join the squad on September 23.
The women's Épée team comprises Taniska Khatri, Mitva Chaudhari, Yashkeerat Kaur and Anupriya, who is set to replace injured Prachi Lohan, subject to the required approvals from the Indian Olympic Association and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Joys Ashita, N Mina Devi, Kanupriya Chawla and Sonia Devi Waikom will represent India in women's Foil.
In the men's events, Karan Singh, K P Gishonidhi, Lakshay Badser and Vishal Thapar will compete in Sabre, while Sachin, Sanasan Hemash Singh, Adiya and Tejas Patil will contest the Foil competition.
The coaching staff comprises Vijay Kumar, Gyanendra Kumar, Mohit Ashwini, Sagar Lagu and Tukaram Mehatra, with Nikita Pandey as physiotherapist.
Bharatji Thakor of Gujarat is the team leader, while Devendra Kumar Sahu of Odisha and OK Vineesh of Kerala are the delegates.
The expanded contingent reflects the Fencing Association of India's focus on rankings, international exposure, athlete preparation and high-performance planning.
FAI Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, who also serves as Secretary General of the Fencing Confederation of Asia, will be in Japan as part of the FCA delegation. FAI President Satej Dnyandeo Patil is also scheduled to visit Japan during the Games.
For Bhavani, the Asian Games will provide another major continental stage after becoming a trailblazer for Indian fencing with her Olympic qualification.
The Indian team will now undergo final preparations in Japan before taking on the leading fencing nations of Asia.
UNI BDB
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