Bhavani Devi first-ever Indian fencer to qualify for Olympics
Bhavani Devi, the 27-year-old from Chennai is the first Indian fencer ever to make the cut for the Olympics.
By IANS
Road to Tokyo Olympics 2020
India s international sabre fencer Bhavani Devi has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics starting July 23 by virtue of improving her world ranking to 42, confirmed the Fencing Association of India.
The 27-year-old from Chennai is the first Indian fencer ever to make the cut for the Olympics. She qualified for the Games at the Budapest World Cup, an Olympic qualifying competition, on Sunday.
Photo for representationODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Fencing: ‘A moment to remember forever’ – Bhavani Devi reflects on historic Olympic qualification
The sabre fencer secured a spot through the World Cup in Hungary, becoming the first Indian ever to qualify for Olympics in the sport. Bhavani Devi (L) with coach Nicola Zanotti | GoSports Foundation
CA Bhavani Devi on Sunday created history when she became the first ever Indian fencer to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
The sabre fencer secured a spot through the World Cup in Hungary after the hosts lost in the quarterfinals of the team event, allowing South Korea to progress to the semi-final. As a result, Bhavani Devi qualified through the Adjusted Official Ranking method.
Finally, I feel free : Bhavani Devi on becoming the first Indian fencer ever to qualify for Olympics I had been waiting for this moment all my life. Through all of last year, especially the lockdown, I carried it within me, holding on to this hope.
Bhavani Devi Finally, I feel free. That was what Bhavani Devi said she felt after becoming the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics.
For the sabre fencer to win a berth, South Korea needed to finish in the top four of the team event of the World Cup in Budapest, which would automatically earn them a Tokyo qualification, allowing her to claim one of two individual spots reserved for Asia & Oceania via Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR).
Finally, I feel free : Bhavani Devi on becoming the first Indian fencer ever to qualify for Olympics I had been waiting for this moment all my life. Through all of last year, especially the lockdown, I carried it within me, holding on to this hope.
Bhavani Devi Finally, I feel free. That was what Bhavani Devi said she felt after becoming the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics.
For the sabre fencer to win a berth, South Korea needed to finish in the top four of the team event of the World Cup in Budapest, which would automatically earn them a Tokyo qualification, allowing her to claim one of two individual spots reserved for Asia & Oceania via Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR).
Fencer Bhavani Devi tackles life in locked-down Livorno with eye on Tokyo
After visa issues stalled her return to Italy for months, Bhavani Devi managed to fly back in November last year to train in Livorno.
Bhavani Devi
Bhavani Devi felt a fleeting sense of fear when she slipped into her electric jacket in November last year. The Indian fencer had just returned to her training base - the Tuscan coastal city of Livorno after eight months. She d been target training and working on footwork drills on the terrace of her north Chennai home and the JN Stadium through a large part of the year. What the only Indian fencer in Olympic contention missed was a living, breathing opponent with a sword and quick reflexes.