Bhavani Devi leads India's 20-member fencing squad for Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya
Synopsis
India's strongest-ever fencing contingent — 20 athletes across five disciplines — will head to Aichi-Nagoya with Olympian Bhavani Devi leading the charge. A crop of Commonwealth medallists including a historic first-ever foil bronze winner joins her, signalling that Indian fencing is no longer just a one-name story.
Key Takeaways
Bhavani Devi will lead India's 20-member fencing squad at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya .
The FAI announced the squad on 31 August , based on results at the Asian Senior, World, and Commonwealth Fencing Championships.
A national preparatory camp runs from 1 September to 15 September at NIS Patiala ; the team departs on 16 September .
Tejas Manoj Patil became the first Indian to win a senior men's foil medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships (bronze).
Taniksha Khatri (gold) and Prachi Lohan (bronze) headline the women's epee unit after their Commonwealth Championships performances.
Karan Singh Gurjar brings a Commonwealth gold in men's sabre to the contingent.
Olympian C.A. Bhavani Devi will spearhead India's 20-member fencing contingent at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, after the Fencing Association of India (FAI) announced the squad on Sunday, 31 August. Selections were based on national rankings and performances at major international competitions in 2026, making this one of the most competitive Indian fencing line-ups ever assembled.
Preparatory Camp and Departure Schedule
The selected fencers will assemble at the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala for a national preparatory camp running from 1 September to 15 September. The contingent is scheduled to depart for Aichi-Nagoya on 16 September for final acclimatisation ahead of competition. The camp is designed to sharpen tactical endurance and build team chemistry across all three weapon disciplines.
Key Performers and Selection Criteria
The FAI selection committee drew from results at the Asian Senior Fencing Championships, the World Fencing Championships, and the Commonwealth Fencing Championships to finalise the squad. Bhavani Devi's inclusion provides a significant lift to the women's sabre team; the trailblazing Olympian had returned to competitive action at the Asian Senior Fencing Championships earlier this year following a two-month break from the piste.
In women's epee, Taniksha Khatri and Prachi Lohan arrive on the back of gold and bronze medal-winning performances respectively at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships. Karan Singh Gurjar bolsters the men's sabre unit after clinching gold at the same tournament, while Tejas Manoj Patil secured his berth in the men's foil squad by becoming the first Indian fencer to win a senior medal in the foil category at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships — a historic bronze.
Full Squad Breakdown
Men's Foil: Sachin, Sanasam Hemash Singh, Aditya, Tejas Manoj Patil.
Women's Foil: Joys Ashitha Stalinraj, Naorem Mina Devi, Kanupriya Chawla, Sonia Devi Waikhom.
Women's Epee: Taniksha Khatri, Prachi Lohan, Mitva Chaudhari, Yashkeerat Kaur Hayer.
Men's Sabre: Karan Singh, Gisho Nidhi K.P., Lakshay Badser, Vishal Thapar.
Women's Sabre: Bhavani Devi C.A., Shreya Gupta, Jefarlin J.S., Shruti Joshi.
What the FAI Said
FAI Secretary General Rajeev Mehta expressed strong confidence in the squad, stating: 'Our fencers have demonstrated exceptional growth and resilience on the international stage over the past few years. The selection of this squad reflects our absolute best talent across all three disciplines — Foil, Epee, and Sabre. Bhavani Devi's return alongside historic international performances by Tejas Patil, Taniksha Khatri, Prachi, and Karan Singh Gurjar makes this one of the strongest Indian fencing contingents ever assembled... We are fully committed to providing our athletes with world-class support, and we are confident they will make the nation proud at the Asian Games.'
The FAI also acknowledged the continued support of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in facilitating the preparatory camp and backing the national fencing programme.
India's Fencing Ambitions at Aichi-Nagoya
India enters the Asian Games fencing competition with genuine momentum — a combination of Bhavani Devi's experience, multiple Commonwealth medallists, and a generation of emerging fencers carrying strong recent form. This comes amid a broader upswing in Indian fencing's international standing, with the sport producing landmark results across disciplines over the past two years. The Aichi-Nagoya campaign will be a key test of whether that momentum can be converted into podium finishes on Asia's biggest multi-sport stage.
Point of View
Indian fencing's international identity rested almost entirely on one name; the emergence of Commonwealth medallists across foil, epee, and sabre suggests a structural deepening of the talent pool. Yet Asian Games fencing is a different order of competition from the Commonwealth circuit, and the gap between a Commonwealth bronze and an Asian Games podium finish can be vast. The real measure of this squad's progress will not be whether Bhavani Devi advances deep into the draw, but whether the newer names — Patil, Khatri, Karan Singh Gurjar — can hold their own against East and Southeast Asian fencers who dominate the continental rankings.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading India's fencing squad for the Asian Games?
Olympian C.A. Bhavani Devi will headline India's 20-member fencing contingent at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. She leads the women's sabre unit and returned to competitive action at the Asian Senior Fencing Championships in 2026 after a two-month break.
When and where is India's fencing preparatory camp before the Asian Games?
The national preparatory camp is being held at the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala from 1 September to 15 September. The squad will depart for Aichi-Nagoya on 16 September for final acclimatisation.
How was India's Asian Games fencing squad selected?
The FAI selection committee chose the 20-member squad based on national rankings and performances at the Asian Senior Fencing Championships, World Fencing Championships, and Commonwealth Fencing Championships in 2026.
Who is Tejas Manoj Patil and why is his selection significant?
Tejas Manoj Patil earned his place in the men's foil squad by winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships, becoming the first Indian fencer to win a senior medal in the foil category at that event. His selection marks a historic milestone for Indian foil fencing.
Which other Indian fencers have notable recent performances heading into the Asian Games?
Taniksha Khatri (gold) and Prachi Lohan (bronze) excelled in women's epee at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships, while Karan Singh Gurjar won gold in men's sabre at the same tournament. Their form makes India a credible contender across multiple disciplines at Aichi-Nagoya.
