Bhavani Devi Stuns Olympic Champion Ozaki but Exits Coupe Acropolis
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Synopsis
At the 2025 Coupe Acropolis, Indian fencer Bhavani Devi amazed fans by defeating Japanese medallist Seri Ozaki but was eliminated in the next round by Zhang Xinyi from China. Despite a strong start, her journey ended prematurely in the Table of 64 match.
Key Takeaways
- Bhavani Devi defeated Olympic medallist Seri Ozaki.
- Lost to Zhang Xinyi in the Table of 64.
- Showed resilience as India’s first Olympic fencer.
- Impressive four wins in pool stage.
- Missed qualification for 2024 Paris Olympics.
Athens, March 10 (NationPress) Indian fencer Bhavani Devi delivered a stunning performance at the 2025 Coupe Acropolis, triumphing over Japan’s Olympic and World Championships medallist Seri Ozaki in a thrilling match. Unfortunately, her journey came to an end in the subsequent round when she faced a tough challenge and lost to China’s Zhang Xinyi in the Table of 64.
As India’s first-ever Olympic fencer during the Tokyo 2020 Games, Bhavani has faced numerous hurdles over the past year, including missing the qualification for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Nevertheless, in Athens, she showcased her skills by defeating a formidable opponent in Ozaki, securing a narrow 15-14 victory in the preliminary round.
The 22-year-old Ozaki has an impressive athletic history, having won a team bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and also excelling at the 2022 World Championships.
This victory over Ozaki was a significant achievement for Bhavani, demonstrating her tenacity and capability to compete at the highest level. However, her progress in the tournament was halted shortly after, as she struggled against Zhang Xinyi from China. Bhavani found herself trailing early in their match and was unable to recover, ultimately losing 9-15.
Earlier in the competition, the 31-year-old fencer displayed a strong performance in the pool stage, winning four out of her six matches to secure third place in her group. Her impressive start set a positive tone for her campaign, but the main draw presented a steeper challenge.
