Tamil Nadu’s CA Bhavani Devi became the first-ever Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics.
The fencer secured an Olympic spot due to events in the ongoing Fencing World Cup on Sunday.
Hosts Hungary lost in the quarterfinals of the team event, allowing Korea to progress to the semis.
Bhavani Devi has qualified through the Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR) Method.
Congratulations fencer @IamBhavaniDevi for scripting history! ????
For an Indian to crack the highest of #Olympic sport, especially when the sport isn’t particularly easy, this qualification shows your committed endeavour & blazing ambition. ???????? #SheInspiresUs pic.twitter.com/dXNl4RE2Pb
— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) March 15, 2021
Meanwhile, two individual spots were up for grabs for the Asia & Oceania region based on the World Rankings as of April 5, 2021.
The Indian fencer is now ranked 45th and occupies one of the two available slots based on the ranking. The 27-year-old’s qualification will be confirmed when the rankings are made official next month.
The 27-year old fencer has given fencing an identity in India. She has even won several laurels at the international level through her hard work and determination.
Let’s hear it from @IamBhavaniDevi, who created history by becoming the 1st Indian Fencer to qualify for the @Olympics. Here is what she has to say on her qualification and the journey ahead. #Tokyo2020#JeetengeOlympics pic.twitter.com/4griNP1lcr
— SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) March 15, 2021
The Tamil Nadu fencer competes in the saber category. The eight-time national champion had failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
However, she stepped up efforts to secure qualification for the Tokyo games and continued to train abroad in Italy.
Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju congratulated Bhavani Devi on her qualifying for the Olympics.
“Congratulations to Indian fencer Bhavani Devi who has qualified for Tokyo Olympics! She has become the 1st ever Indian fencer to achieve the feat. My best wishes to @IamBhavaniDevi,” he tweeted.
Congratulations to Indian fencer Bhavani Devi who has qualified for Tokyo Olympics! She has become the 1st ever Indian fencer to achieve the feat. My best wished to @IamBhavaniDevi pic.twitter.com/NFGJzuB4Dx
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) March 14, 2021
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