Continental showpiece returns with Olympic champions, 32 nations and crucial Asian Games and Olympic ranking points at stake…reports Asian Lite News Desk
India is set to make history by hosting the Asian Senior Fencing Championships for the first time, with the continental showpiece scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from June 19 to 24.
Widely regarded as the “Asia Cup” of fencing, the championship is the most prestigious annual event in the Asia-Oceania region and will bring together some of the world’s top fencers. The tournament also serves as a direct qualifier for the upcoming Asian Games and offers crucial ranking points in the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The event marks another milestone for Indian fencing as the national capital will simultaneously host the 39th General Assembly of the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA), which is being held in India for the first time.
Calling the occasion a landmark moment for Indian sport, Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the FCA and the Fencing Association of India, said the championships would help shape the future of fencing in the country.
“Hosting the Senior Asian Fencing Championships for the first time is a watershed moment that will permanently redefine the trajectory of Indian sports. We are not just welcoming the world’s elite to New Delhi; we are laying the foundation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle right here at home,” Mehta said.
He added that hosting delegates from 42 member nations for the FCA General Assembly underlined India’s growing stature in the sport.
“Our athletes have already shown they can compete and win medals at the continental level. This tournament offers them an unprecedented opportunity to perform under world-class pressure in front of home fans,” he said.
Mehta also highlighted the introduction of an AI Video Referral System, describing it as a step towards integrating advanced technology into officiating and athlete development.
The six-day competition will feature elite fencers from 32 countries, including powerhouses such as China, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong and Iran.
Among the biggest international stars expected in action are Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka Long, the reigning two-time Olympic individual foil gold medallist; South Korea’s Oh Sang-uk, the Olympic sabre gold medallist; and Japan’s Yamada Masaru, one of the leading names in men’s épée.
As hosts, India will field a full-strength squad of 24 fencers led by trailblazer Bhavani Devi, who became the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympic Games and won India’s maiden medal at the Asian Championships with a bronze in 2023.
She will be joined by sabre specialist Karan Singh, Paris 2024 Olympic qualifier silver medallist, rising épée star Tanishka Khatri and experienced sabre fencer Gisho Nidhi.
The championship will feature 12 medal events across individual and team competitions for men and women in the three fencing disciplines — foil, épée and sabre. A total of 48 medals will be awarded during the tournament.
Beyond the competition itself, organisers believe the event will play a crucial role in expanding the sport’s footprint in India while showcasing the country’s ability to host major international fencing events.
With Olympic champions, continental stars and Asia’s best teams set to compete in New Delhi, the championships promise to be the biggest fencing event ever staged in India.
