New Delhi [India], June 15 (ANI): India will host the Asian Senior Fencing Championships 2026 within the nationwide capital later this month. Scheduled to happen from June 19 to June 24, on the iconic Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, it’s the first time that India will host a continental-level fencing championship.
Widely recognised because the ‘Asia Cup’ of fencing, the match is probably the most prestigious annual competitors within the Asia-Oceania area, a launch stated.
This version serves as a direct qualifier for the upcoming Asian Games, whereas providing important rating factors that instantly form the worldwide standings and aggressive highway to the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 cycle.
Alongside the championship, the capital may even welcome high sports activities executives from throughout the continent for the thirty ninth Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA) General Assembly, being hosted in India for the very first time.
Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General, Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA) and Fencing Association of India stated internet hosting the Senior Asian Fencing Championships for the primary time is a watershed second ‘that can completely redefine the trajectory of Indian sports activities’.
‘We are usually not simply welcoming the world’s absolute elite to New Delhi; we’re laying down the foundational path for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle proper right here on our residence mat. I’m equally thrilled and excited to host 42 delegate members from throughout our member international locations to the thirty ninth FCA General Assembly, which is being hosted for the primary time in India. Our athletes have confirmed they will win medals on the continental degree, and this match offers unprecedented publicity to world-class stress beneath the eyes of their residence followers,’ he stated.
‘By introducing cutting-edge applied sciences just like the AI Video Referral System, India is main the worldwide sporting panorama into a brand new tech-driven period. We are assured this occasion will encourage a technology and set up India as a premier vacation spot for world fencing,’ he added.
The championship will function world-ranked superstars and reigning Olympic Gold Medalists, providing Indian sports activities followers a uncommon glimpse of fencing at its highest degree. Key worldwide headliners locked in to compete embrace Cheung Ka Long of Hong Kong, the reigning, back-to-back Olympic Individual Foil Gold Medalist; Oh Sang-uk of South Korea, the reigning Olympic Individual Sabre Gold Medalist and world fencing icon; and Yamada Masaru of Japan, the Olympic Gold Medalist and defensive powerhouse in Men’s Epee.
An enormous contingent of elite squads representing 32 powerhouse nations will face off in New Delhi.
The taking part international locations are:1. Australia2. Bahrain3. Bangladesh4. Brunei5. Cambodia6. China7. Chinese Taipei8. Hong Kong9. India (Host)10. Iran11. Japan12. Kazakhstan13. Kuwait14. Kyrgyzstan15. Lebanon16. Malaysia17. Mongolia18. Nepal19. New Zealand20. Philippines21. Qatar22. Saudi Arabia23. Singapore24. South Korea25. Sri Lanka26. Syria27. Thailand,28. Turkmenistan, 29. United Arab Emirates,30. Uzbekistan31. Vietnam32. Yemen.
As the host nation, India is fielding a full, elite squad of 24 fencers anchored by 4 marquee trailblazers who’ve efficiently put Indian fencing on the worldwide map. Leading the cost is Bhavani Devi (Sabre), India’s premier fencing pioneer, who made historical past because the first-ever Indian fencer to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games and clinched a historic Bronze on the 2023 Asian Championships–marking India’s first-ever Asian Championship medal alongside 14 medals in numerous worldwide tournaments.
She is joined by Karan Singh (Sabre), a dominant nationwide pressure identified for his explosive pace, who secured the Silver Medal within the Asian Olympic Qualifying Round for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Also anchoring the crew are Tanishka Khatri (Epee), India’s quickly rising star, who has constantly confirmed her calibre to go toe-to-toe with Asia’s greatest, and Gisho Nidhi (Sabre), a important pillar bringing important technical aggression and in depth worldwide expertise to the crew format.
Fencing is a extremely tactical, fast-paced Olympic sport primarily based on conventional swordsmanship the place athletes put on digital sensors to register ‘touches’ on their opponents.
The championship will function 12 distinct events–comprising a person and a crew format for each women and men throughout three core weapon disciplines. These embrace Foil, a lightweight pushing weapon the place factors are scored strictly on the opponent’s torso; Epee, a heavier sword the place all the physique from head to toe is a legitimate goal; and Sabre, a fast-paced, slashing weapon the place factors could be scored using each the blade’s edge and the tip from the waist up.
A complete of 48 medals can be awarded, evenly divided between Individual Events (6 Gold, 6 Silver, 12 Bronze) and Team Events (6 Gold, 6 Silver, 12 Bronze).
Beyond the aggressive motion, the match stands as a monumental leap for sports activities expertise. Right earlier than the video games, the Fencing Association of India hosted the world’s first-ever coaching workshop for an AI Video Referral System. (ANI)