Men's foil team earns Asian Games qualification despite India missing medals

NEW DELHI: India may have finished without a medal at the recently-concluded Asian Senior Fencing Championships, but the hosts still had plenty to cheer about. The men's foil team secured direct qualification for the upcoming Asian Games, marking a major achievement for Indian fencing.The championship, hosted in India for the first time, featured a 24-member Indian contingent that produced encouraging performances against some of Asia's strongest fencing nations, including Japan and South Korea.

Although the Indian fencers narrowly missed out on podium finishes in several events, many pushed higher-ranked opponents all the way, highlighting the steady rise of the sport in the country.Valuable experience on home soilFencing Association of India (FAI) and Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA) secretary-general Rajeev Mehta said hosting the continental championship was a landmark moment for Indian fencing."Hosting the Senior Asian Fencing Championships for the first time is a watershed moment that will permanently redefine the trajectory of Indian sports. Our fencers have given a very good performance on home soil, proving they can match strides with the world's absolute elite."This tournament provides unprecedented exposure to world-class pressure under the eyes of home fans. The experience gained here, alongside the Men's Foil team securing direct qualification, lays down a definitive foundational path for our athletes.

"It gives them the vital competitive edge, confidence, and tactical depth needed to aggressively contend for the podium at the upcoming Asian Games," said Mehta, a former secretary-general of the Indian Olympic Association.Men's foil team shinesIndia's men's foil team, ranked eighth in Asia, emerged as the country's best performers. The quartet of Sachin, Sanasam Hemash Singh, Tejas Manoj Patil and Aditya combined well in the relay rounds to finish among the top eight teams, earning direct qualification for the Asian Games.Kanupriya leads individual effortKanupriya Chawla produced India's best individual performance of the championship in the women's foil event. She exceeded expectations by reaching the later knockout rounds and finished 20th overall in Asia.Her teammates Joys Ashitha Stalinraj (43rd), Naorem Mina Devi (45th) and Sonia Devi Waikhom (46th) also gained valuable exposure against some of the continent's best fencers.In the men's foil individual competition, Sachin was India's top finisher in 25th place.

Sanasam Hemash Singh, Aditya and Tejas Manoj Patil performed well in the pool stage but were knocked out by higher-ranked opponents in the elimination rounds.Eye on LA 2028The women's foil team also impressed by finishing just outside the top eight. While they missed a higher finish, their performance earned valuable ranking points that will contribute to India's qualification campaign for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.