BHAVANI JUNCTION
Fencer goes down sabre-rattling in historic debut
Tokyo, July 26: India’s first ever fencer in the Olympics, C. A. Bhavani Devi, lasted two rounds at the Games, her historic maiden appearance ending with a loss to World No. 3 Manon Brunet in the women’s individual sabre event here on Monday.
The 27-year-old began her campaign with a confident 15-3 win against Tunisia’s Nadia Ben Azizi but bumped into Rio Olympics semifinalist Frenchwoman Brunet in the next round, which she lost 7-15.
“I did my level best but couldn’t win. I am sorry... Thank you so much i will come back much stronger and successful at Next Olympics with all your Prayers,” she tweeted thanking her coaches, the government and her family for backing her.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied, “You gave your best and that is all that counts.
Wins and losses are a part of life. India is very proud of your contributions. You are an inspiration for our citizens.”
Replying to Modi’s tweet, Devi said, “When ur inspiration icon calls u an inspiration, what better day i can ask for?”
She said Modi’s words motivated her and that he stood by her even though she lost the match.
Bhavani said she committed mistakes against Brunet but will take the result in her stride. “I didn’t fence well in the first half but in the second half I tried to change something but it was too late. I am happy I fenced with one of the top fencers in the world,” she said of her contest against Brunet.
“In between I was doing some mistakes but it is okay, sabre is very quick. It is the first time Indians will watch fencing, so I am very happy that I could perform in front of them,” she added.
The sabre is the fastest of the fencing competitions in which opponents can slash anywhere above the waist. The fencer who touches the 15 point-mark first is declared the winner. In the other two events — foil and epee — only the tip of the sword can be used to target the opponent.
The Chennai fencer said she has gained valuable experience from her Tokyo outing, which will help her in future challenges.
Bhavani said “staying away from family and missing normal life” was the sacrifice she had to make to live her dream.
“I train in Italy. It is worth it and it is my family’s dream, too, so I am happy,” she said.
Bhavani’s aggression yielded points against Azizi but French Brunet used all her experience to negate the tactics of the Indian, who lost two points for going out of the arena.
The Indian could score only one point each in the first two periods but came back well in the third.
Brunet was sharp and had a better technique as she scored points from distance. —
India’s first ever fencer Bhavani Devi’s aggression earned her a comfortable win against Tunisia’s Nadia Ben Azizi in the first round.
She then ran into Rio Olympics semifinalist Manon Brunet, who used her experience to negate the Indian’s tactics.