Bhavani Devi wins ‘tough final’ to claim gold at Commonwealth fencing

Indian fencer CA Bhavani Devi has won the gold medal in the ongoing Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2022 in London late last night (August 9).

The world No. 42 Devi defeated second-seeded Australian fencer Veronika Vasileva 15-10 to defend her Commonwealth fencing title in the Senior Women’s Sabre Individual category final.

After becoming the first-ever Indian fencer to have qualified for the Olympics at Tokyo, the Chennai-born fencer who represents Tamil Nadu, has had a steady rise in her performances in 2022.

Also read: Amid adversities, fencer Bhavani Devi lunges at Olympic spot

The year began with the Fencing World Cup at Istanbul where she finished 23rd after missing out a spot in the last 32. Thereafter Devi’s World Championship campaign in July this year at Cairo ended in the second round.

The Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2022 is her 10th international tournament of this year and she has been able to perform commendably in these high-profile tournaments.

Speaking post her win, Devi said, “It is a huge feeling to defend my title. It was a tough final and I am glad I could add another gold medal for India this year. It has been a great journey for me this year and I would like to continue this momentum for the upcoming tournaments. The support back home has been great for me throughout.”

“I would like to congratulate C A Bhavani Devi on winning the title again this edition. She has been an inspiration to every fencer in India, and it is because of her that many youngsters now dream of making it big in the global fencing map. This Gold medal only adds to our belief that Fencing in India is growing and I am confident that the day is not far away when we will have Indian fencers competing at the top international tournaments regularly including the Olympics,” said an elated Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General, Fencing Association of India.

Fencing as a sport is recognised by the Commonwealth Games federation and was a part of the Commonwealth Games programme till 1970. Since 1970 the Commonwealth Fencing Championships are held every four years in the same year as the Commonwealth Games.