NEW DELHI, June 19: Olympian C A Bhavani Devi on Monday created history by securing India’s first-ever medal at the Asian Fencing Championships — a bronze — after losing in the women’s sabre semifinal at the continental event in Wuxi, China.
Bhavani lost to Uzbekistan’s Zaynab Dayibekova in a hard-fought semifinals 14-15, but ensured India its maiden medal in the prestigious event.
Bhavani had earlier stunned reigning world champion Misaki Emura of Japan 15-10 in the quarterfinals to script history.
Misaki had won the women’s sabre gold medal at the 2022 World Fencing Championships held in Cairo.
It was Bhavani’s first win over Misaki as she had lost all her matches against the Japanese in the past.
The 29-year-old Bhavani had received a bye in the round of 64 before beating Dospay Karina of Kazakhstan in the next round.(PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
