Bhavani Devi, Taniksha Khatri fail to grab Paris Olympics 2024 quotas at Fencing Asia-Oceania Zonal event

No Indian fencer has secured Paris Olympics quota.

Indian fencers’ hopes of securing quotas for the Paris 2024 Olympics were dashed as they fell short at the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier on Sunday. Despite valiant efforts, the contingent failed to book any spots in the coveted quadrennial event.

At the previous Tokyo Olympics, Bhavani Devi had become the country’s first-ever fencer to qualify for the Olympic Games. Bhavani secured her Tokyo berth through the Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR) method, courtesy of being ranked 45th in the world and benefiting from the two quota places allocated to the Asia-Oceania region based on world rankings.

However, Bhavani’s hopes of repeating her Olympic feat were shattered on Sunday as she suffered a heartbreaking 12-15 semi-final exit in the women’s sabre event against Hong Kong China’s Chu Wing Kiu. The experienced campaigner did not shake hands with her fourth-ranked opponent, displaying her utter disappointment.

In the women’s epee final, Taniksha Khatri came agonizingly close to clinching a quota, only to narrowly miss out. The Indian fencer lost 13-15 to Singapore’s Kiria Tikanah in a closely contested bout, even receiving a red card towards the end.

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On the men’s side, Karan Singh reached the final of his event but suffered a 2-15 defeat against Chinese fencer Chenpeng Shen on Saturday, shattering his dreams of securing an Olympic quota.

The Indian contingent displayed determination and skill throughout the Asia-Oceania qualifiers but ultimately fell short of their target, leaving the nation without a fencing quota for Paris 2024 Games.

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