Former Olympian C.A. Bhavani Devi will spearhead a 24-member Indian squad at the 26th Senior Asian Fencing Championships, set to be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from June 19 to 24.
The tournament, which will feature more than 400 athletes from over 30 countries, is being seen as a significant opportunity for India to test itself against Asia’s best while beginning preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.
The Fencing Association of India (FAI) announced the national team after conducting selection trials, naming 12 men and 12 women across the foil, épée and sabre disciplines.
India’s women’s sabre team will be led by Bhavani Devi, the country’s first and only Olympic fencer, alongside Shreya Gupta, Jefarlin Jani Rexlin Simla
and Shruthi Joshi. The women’s foil squad comprises Joys Ashitha Stalinraj, Naorem Mina Devi and Sonia Devi Waikhom, while Tanishka Khatri, Prachi Lohan and Mitva Jesangbhai Chaudhari will represent India in women’s épée.
In the men’s section, Sachin Haryana, Sanasam Hemash Singh, Aditya Haryana and Tejas Manoj Patil have been selected in foil. The men’s épée team features Shrejin Rajendran Shanthim, Joseph Bennet, Shaurya Ashwini and Aloshious Koovakkal Joshy, while Karan Singh, Gisho Nidhi Kumaresh Padma, Vishal Thapar and Lakshay Badser will compete in sabre.
FAI president Satej D. Patil expressed confidence in both the organisers and the athletes ahead of the championship.
“We are absolutely thrilled and fully confident in our capability to host an exceptional, world-class tournament here in New Delhi. I have complete faith in the preparation and talent of our Indian team to perform exceptionally well on this grand stage,” Patil said.
Bhavani Devi highlighted the importance of competing on home soil.
“Hosting a tournament of this magnitude is a monumental milestone for Indian fencing. Playing in front of our home crowd on such a prestigious platform is an incredible honor and an immense opportunity for growth,” she said.
The championship carries added significance as it serves as a qualification event for the 2026 Asian Games. FAI officials believe competing against some of the continent’s strongest fencers at home will provide valuable experience and help shape India’s long-term development plans ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Fencing at the championships will be contested across foil, épée and sabre, the three disciplines featured in the Olympic programme.
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