Indian fencer Bhavani Devi finishes 23rd in Istanbul FIE World Cup

Indian fencer C.A Bhavani Devi finished 23rd in the women's individual sabre event of the FIE World Cup in Istanbul. Bhavani put her best foot forward to display her best performance at the World Cup, where 166 participants were in the fray to attain a podium finish.

The 28-year-old did not progress beyond the main Round of 64 during her last three appearances at the event.

Devi, who was India's lone representative at the World Cup, suffered a defeat at the hands of world no 23 Caroline Queroli of France 9-15 in the main Round of 32 on Friday (March 18). Queroli and team clinched the gold medal in the 2018 world championship.

Bhavani won all her pool stage matches to finish on top, trouncing all six opponents. She also earned direct entry into the main table of 64, where she defeated Lin Kesi of China 15-8.

Olympian Bhavani wins gold in national fencing meet:

Olympian fencer Bhavani Devi clinched her first gold medal in the Saber event at the Senior National Fencing Championship being held in Amritsar.

Bhavani, who was representing Tamil Nadu, was awarded by Amritsar District Fencing Association President Sardar Jaswant Singh Dhillon for her feat.

Bhavani Devi's recent performances:

Bhavani Devi, who competed in the sabre fencer category, scripted history by becoming the first-ever Indian to compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Bhavani won a silver medal in the women's sabre individual category in the 2019 Tournoi Satellite Fencing Competition in Ghent, Belgium, after losing to Bashta Anna from Azerbaijan.

Bhavani, who is accustomed to many firsts in her life, scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the senior Commonwealth Fencing Championship in Canberra in the sabre event.

She defeated Catriona Thomson of Scotland in the semifinals and then defeated England's Emily Ruaux in the final.