Tokyo Olympics: Bhavani Devi wins India’s maiden fencing match in Games history

India’s Chandalavada Anandha Sundh Bhavani, also known as Bhavani Devi, defeated Tunisia’s Nadia Ben Azizi after dominating through the game. The match, which had a bout duration of over 6 minutes, ended with a score of 15-3.

Halfway through the game, the 27-year-old from Tamil Nadu secured a lead of 8-0. 

Bhavani defeated the Tunisian player in the round of 64 to further progress in a bid for the medal.

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The 27-year-old Bhavani did not concede a single point in the first three-minute period and raced to a commanding 8-0 lead.

In the round of 32, Bhavani is set to face tough competition from French fencing player Manon Brunet, who secured a position in the semifinals of Rio Olympics, according to reports from PTI.

Bhavani Devi is the first-ever Indian fencer to qualify for an Olympic-level event. She qualified through the Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR) Method, according to reports from PTI.

Based on the World Rankings as of April 5, 2021, two individual spots were up for grabs for the Asia and Oceania region and Bhavani ranked 45th, occupying one of the two available slots.

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In a stepped-up effort, Bhavani was getting trained under coach Nicola Zanotti in Italy before the coronavirus-induced lockdown halted the qualification process for Tokyo Olympics. The Games were scheduled to be held last year in Tokyo but was postponed owing to the pandemic.

Bhavani, who is an eight-time national champion, had failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics.