Trend-setter: Bhavani’s bronze is India’s first in the continental occasion.
| Photo Credit: File Photos: V.V KRISHNAN
Olympian C.A. Bhavani Devi created historical past by securing India’s first-ever medal — a bronze — on the Asian fencing championships in Wuxi, China, on Monday.
Bhavani misplaced to Uzbekistan’s Zaynab Dayibekova in a hard-fought semifinal 14-15 of the ladies’s sabre occasion, however ensured India its maiden medal in the occasion.
Earlier, she shocked reigning world champion Misaki Emura of Japan 15-10 in the quarterfinals, her first win in opposition to the Japanese fencer.
Bhavani stated her dream to beat a couple of top-ranked gamers in the world had been realised and she or he was notably completely satisfied to get the higher of Misaki.
Bhavani’s efficiency will give her the impetus for her subsequent task in World championships.
| Photo Credit:
File Photos
“It feels great to become the first Indian to win a bronze for the country at the Asian meet. Beating Misaki was huge because she is a good and consistent fencer. I had lost in the round of 16 to Misaki in the previous Asians, but I had a plan this time and it worked,” Bhavani advised The Hindu over cellphone from Wuxi.
The Indian gave it her all earlier than shedding the last-four conflict. At 14-14, the referee flashed the pink card in opposition to Bhavani for ‘early start’. She needed a video referral, however the referee rejected it on the grounds that it’s out there just for ‘blade contact’. Both fencers had acquired a yellow card earlier in the match.
The 29-year-old Bhavani’s subsequent task would be the World championships in Milan from July 22 to 30.
