When was the last time India competed in fencing at the Olympics?

As the Paris 2024 Olympics began on July 26, fencing is one sport that India will have no representation in. Despite sending 117 members to this year’s Summer Olympics to compete in various sporting disciplines, no Indian fencer was on the plane to France, as they failed to secure a berth for the Games.

Fencing, as a sport, was a late arrival in India, with the government recognizing the Fencing Association of India only in 1997. Despite the low popularity of the sport in India, fencing has already seen some good moments, with CA Bhavani Devi creating history by becoming the first Indian fencer to qualify for the 2020 Olympics.

Bhavani Devi made India’s Olympic fencing debut in Tokyo. The 30-year-old sabre fencer is India’s highest-ranked fencer, with a world ranking of 39 in the women's discipline.

Bhavani Devi has been a trailblazer for Indian fencing, becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships. Other than two Commonwealth gold medals, she also has a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Fencing Championships.

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How did CA Bhavani Devi fare last time India competed in fencing at the Olympics?

Bhavani Devi made India proud with her appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She had a dream Olympic debut, as she defeated Tunisia's Nadia Ben Azizi with a score of 15-3 in her first match. Devi dominated her younger opponent and secured India’s first and only victory in fencing at the Olympics.

Bhavani Devi then faced a tough draw in the second round, as she faced World No. 3 Manon Brunet of France. Despite giving the veteran opponent a tough fight, the Indian ultimately lost the match with a score of 15-7.

Devi’s appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics paved the way for up-and-coming Indian fencers, such as 25-year-old Karan Singh (world rank 75) and 20-year-old Taniksha Khatri (world rank 119), to make their marks in fencing.

Although a six-member Indian fencing contingent failed to gain entry to Paris, they will look forward to making their country proud in future international tournaments.