Indian fencer Bhavani Devi scripts history by securing Tokyo Olympics qualification


Indian fencer Bhavani Devi scripts history by securing Tokyo Olympics qualification

Bhavani Devi

Bhavani Devi scripted history when she became the first fencer from to India to make her way to the Olympic Games that are set to take place later this year in Tokyo. She sealed the spot at the ongoing World Cup in Hungary with a fantastic performance that saw her qualify through the Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR) method.

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Bhavani Devi is ranked 45th in the world and she currently occupies one out of the two slots that are available based on the rankings. There were two spots which were up for grabs for Asia and Oceania based on the rankings and Bhavani has clinched that. Although her qualification isn’t yet officially confirmed, it will be done so when the rankings are announced before April 5, 2021.

Kiren Rijiju congratulates Bhavani Devi

Bhavani Devi
Bhavani Devi

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju congratulated Bhavani Devi for making her way to the Olympic Games. “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.

On being asked as to how she feels by ESPN, Bhavani said, “I feel free.” She then said, “When I reached Budapest, I was clear in my mind that whether I finally manage to make it to Tokyo or not, I shouldn’t have any regrets. I know how much I have trained these past five years. How hard I’ve worked and how tough it’s been to stay away from my family, missing every festival and occasion. The only regret I have is my father (whom she lost in 2019) not being around for this moment.”

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