You learn from your failures: India’s first Olympic fencer Bhavani Devi

CA Bhavani Devi became the first fencer to represent India at the Olympics. She began her 2020 Tokyo Olympics campaign against Tunisia’s Nadia Ben Azizi and recorded a confident 15-3 win. However, in the second round, she was up against the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist Manon Brunet and lost 7-15. Even though her historic maiden appearance did not end in a victory, Bhavani Devi said “you learn from your mistakes”.

“You learn from your failures, I accept what I’ve done in this Olympics. I’m happy with the experience I received during the process. You always improve at each competition, the journey to arrive in the Olympics was not easy,” news agency ANI quoted Bhavani Devi as saying.

“I worked hard and I finally represented India at the Olympics, I have learned a lot, I will definitely work harder to do better in the coming tournaments,” she added.

“For me, I felt that I have given my best. Of course, I was a little disappointed after the second round, I always wanted to win a medal for India. It’s not only in Olympics, I want to win medals everywhere,” Bhavani Devi said about her performance and her future aspirations.

Replying to this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said: “You gave your best and that is all that counts. Wins and losses are a part of life. India is very proud of your contributions.”

After crashing out in the women’s sabre event, Bhavani Devi had said: “I did my level best but couldn’t win. I am sorry…Thank you so much I will come back much stronger and successful at Next Olympics with all your Prayers.”

Earlier, the fencer from Chennai had said she gained valuable experience from her Tokyo outing and this will help her in future challenges.

“I did not qualify for Rio, I tried my best to qualify and that helped me to become stronger as a person and to move forward for Tokyo. From here onwards, I will be living my dream as an Olympian.”