India Become Commonwealth Fencing Champions For The First Time Among 20 Nations
Indian Fencers Win 35 Medals, Including 13 Gold
Lagos (Nigeria): After finishing fourth with a total of 39 medals, including 13 gold, at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, India’s fencers have now delivered a historic and outstanding performance at the Commonwealth Fencing Championship. In this prestigious fencing competition, India became the overall champions for the first time, finishing with a remarkable tally of 35 medals. In recognition of this rare achievement, India were presented with the Wilkinson Sword Trophy by the Commonwealth Fencing Federation.
How Many of the 20 Countries Participated?
The fencing championship, held in Lagos, Nigeria, in Africa, featured competitors from 20 countries. India dominated the medal standings with 13 gold, eight silver and 14 bronze medals. These medals were won across the Under-23 and senior categories.
India sent the largest contingent of fencers to the championship, with 67 competitors. The other 19 participating nations were Nigeria, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Botswana, Cyprus, Ghana, Guernsey, Jamaica, Mauritius, Namibia, Kenya, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Gambia, Togo and Wales.
Fencing Association of India Secretary-General Rajiv Mehta said in a press release, “India winning the Commonwealth Fencing Championship title for the first time shows the tremendous talent among Indian fencers and demonstrates that they can achieve major success through the highest level of discipline and relentless hard work.”
Haryana Fencer Creates History
Twenty-two-year-old Haryana fencer Tanishka Khatri became the first Indian fencer to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championship. She claimed the historic medal in the Senior Women’s Epee final.
Other Indian fencers, including Shruti Joshi, Khushi Dabhade, V. Ramesh Rao, Prachi Lohan, Nikhil Wagh and Kanang Lakshmi, also won medals for the country.
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