Fencer Bhavani Devi wins ninth National crown.

CHENNAI: Bhavani Devi, India’s first fencer to qualify for the Olympic
Games in Tokyo, won her ninth title at the 31st Senior National fencing
championships at Uttarakhand on Saturday evening.
In the women’s sabre final, the 27-year-old from Tamil Nadu beat Kerala’s
Joshna Joseph 15-7 to win the title. In the semifinal stage of the
competition, Bhavani dominated K Anitha for a 15-4 verdict.

Fencer Bhavani Devi makes history, qualifies for Olympics

For an Indian to dream of cracking those highest of echelons of Olympic sport - when equipment is niche, coaching is specialised, the sport isn't particularly easy to just lace up shoes and pick up - this qualification points to Bhavani's individual endeavour and her blazing ambition.

'Finally, I feel free': Bhavani Devi on becoming the first Indian fencer ever to qualify for Olympics

"Finally, I feel free." That was what Bhavani Devi said she felt after becoming the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics.

For the sabre fencer to win a berth, South Korea needed to finish in the top four of the team event of the World Cup in Budapest, which would automatically earn them a Tokyo qualification, allowing her to claim one of two individual spots reserved for Asia & Oceania via Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR).

Bhavani Devi scripts history, becomes the first Indian fencer to qualify for an Olympics.

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu's CA Bhavani Devi has become the first-ever Indian fencer to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games. The sabre fencer secured a spot in the World Cup in Hungary after the hosts lost in the quarterfinals of the team event, allowing South Korea to progress to the semi-final.

Bhavani Devi qualifies through the Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR) Method.