Bhavani Devi Secures Bronze, Creating History as First Indian Fencer to Win Medal at Asian Championships

By Dhanalakshmi M

Olympian C. A. Bhavani Devi made history by winning India's first-ever medal at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi, China, on June 19, 2023. Despite a tough loss in the semifinals of the women's sabre event to Uzbekistan's Zaynab Dayibekova by a narrow margin of 14-15, Bhavani's outstanding performance secured a well-deserved bronze, marking a significant milestone for India in this prestigious competition.

About Bhavani Devi

Pic Source : The Hindu

Bhavani Devi was born on August 27, 1993, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her mother, CA Ramani, is a homemaker, and her father, C Anandha Sundhararaman, works as a priest.

Bhavani Devi’s Education

Pic Source : myKhel

Bhavani did her schooling at Muruga Dhanushkodi Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Bhavani pursued a bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Government Brennen College in Thalassery, Kerala, and later completed her MBA at St. Joseph's Engineering College in Chennai.

Bhavani Devi’s Journey

Her journey in fencing began in 2004, while she was studying at Muruga Dhanushkodi Girls' Higher Secondary School. At the time, fencing was a relatively unknown sport in India, especially in Tamil Nadu, where Bhavani hails from. She chose fencing because it sounded intriguing and different from the other sports she was offered.

Pic Source : DNA India

Bhavani's talent and dedication brought her national representation in 2004 in Madhya Pradesh. She started playing sabre professionally while training at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. 

At the age of 15, Bhavani participated in her first international tournament, the Cadet and Junior World Fencing Championship in Turkey in 2007. 

Achievements of Bhavani Devi

She won bronze, silver, and gold medals in events such as the Commonwealth Championship, Asian Championship, and Under-23 Asian Championship. Her extraordinary performance at the Flemish Open earned her recognition from the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa, who honoured her with a prize of Rs 3 lakh.

Pic Source : Times of India

Recognized for her outstanding achievements, she was honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award. Throughout her illustrious career, she has secured an impressive tally of 17 medals, showcasing her remarkable talent and dedication.

In 2015, Bhavani was selected as one of the 15 athletes for the Rahul Dravid Athlete Mentorship Program by the GoSports Foundation, which provided valuable guidance and support. Two years later, she made history by becoming the first Indian fencer to win a gold medal at a World Cup event in Reykjavik, Iceland. 

In 2018, Bhavani created history once again by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Senior Commonwealth Fencing Championship in Australia. Her list of accomplishments also includes several medals in the youth categories and more than eight individual national titles.

Pic Source : VSK Bharat

Bhavani expressed her belief that winning the bronze medal would enhance her confidence and enable her to bring honor to her country. She eagerly anticipates the upcoming events, including the Asiad, and remains committed to maintaining her excellent performance.

We are extremely proud of her achievements. Wishing her best of luck and we are sure she will achieve many more milestones ahead!

Information Source: Various News Websites