Bhawani Devi’s Journey from Commonwealth Gold to Asian Bronze and Olympic Milestones

From winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Fencing Championships to earning a bronze at the 2023 Asian Championship, C.A. Bhawani Devi's career has been marked by consistent excellence. The sabre fencer, who became India's first Olympic qualifier in the discipline at Tokyo 2020, has now joined the Vijayi Bharat Foundation (VBF) ahead of the 2026 Asian Games.

During the Tokyo Games, Devi displayed a strong performance, defeating Tunisia's Nadia Ben Azzaji 15‑3 in the round of 64 before being outmatched by France's Manon Brunet in the round of 32. Her domestic dominance includes nine national titles and recognition through the 2021 Arjuna Award.

VBF's high‑performance program will provide Devi with access to the global fencing circuit, allowing her to share her experience with younger athletes. She expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting the foundation's commitment to advancing fencing in India.

"Joining VBF is a great opportunity. I look forward to contributing to the upcoming season and helping shape the next generation of fencers," she said.