New Delhi: Bhavani Devi, from Tamil Nadu has scripted history by becoming first ever Indian fencer to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games. She secured herself a plot in the World Cup after the hosts lost in quarter-finals of same event.
She qualified after Hungary lost to South Korea in the quarterfinals of the Fencing Sabre World Cup
Bhavani Devi qualified through the Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR) Method. She is 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 on the aforementioned date. 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.
The eight-time national champion had failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
The Tokyo Olympics scheduled to be held in 2020 were put off owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 8 this year.
