Indian squad for World Fencing Championships 2023

Indian squad for World Fencing Championships 2023: Bhavani Devi is set to lead India’s 24-member team at the World Fencing Championships 2023. This event, scheduled from July 22 to 30 in Milan, Italy, is a major opportunity for fencers from over 150 countries to earn qualifying points for the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympics.

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The Championship Structure

The World Fencing Championships 2023 will be held at the Milan Convention Center (MiCo) and will see the world’s top fencers competing in three categories: foil, epee, and sabre, in both individual and team events. The individual events are scheduled from July 22 to 27, followed by the team events from July 27 to 30.

Indian squad for World Fencing Championships 2023 — Photo: Getty

What makes this championship even more crucial is that it is the sole world championship taking place during the Olympic fencing qualifying ranking window, which began on April 3, 2023, and will close on April 1, 2024.

Also READ: FIE Fencing World Championships 2023

Indian squad for World Fencing Championships 2023

Bhavani Devi’s Remarkable Journey

According to the Indian squad for World Fencing Championships 2023, Bhavani Devi holds a unique place in Indian fencing history as the only Indian fencer to have competed in the Olympics. Her recent victory at the Asian Fencing Championships where she secured India’s first-ever medal was a monumental achievement.

In a gripping quarterfinal match, Bhavani Devi stunned reigning world champion Misaki Emura of Japan with a remarkable 15-10 victory, marking her first win against the Japanese fencer in four encounters. The match was a roller-coaster, with Emura staging a remarkable comeback from 2-8 down to level it at 10-10. In the semifinals, Bhavani Devi narrowly missed out on silver or gold, suffering a heartbreaking defeat by just one point to Uzbekistan’s world No. 79, Zaynab Dayibekova.

India’s Quest for a Medal

India has yet to secure a medal at the World Fencing Championships since its inception in 1921. Bhavani Devi aims to rewrite history and clinch a medal for her nation.