Japan, South Korea renew rivalry as team events take centre-stage

New Delhi: The Asian Senior Fencing Championships entered a new phase at Bharat Mandapam on Day 4 as the spotlight shifted from individual contests to the fiercely contested team events. The Women's Foil and Men's Sabre competitions produced high-intensity action, with Asian powerhouses South Korea and Japan continuing their battle for supremacy through a blend of tactical precision, speed and teamwork. The electrifying atmosphere inside the arena reflected the growing stakes as teams fought for continental honours in one of Asia's premier fencing tournaments.

In the Men's Sabre Team category, South Korea—led by individual gold medalist Oh Sang-uk and defending champion Do Gyeong-dong—put on a masterclass to defeat Japan in a thrilling final. Meanwhile, the Japanese women countered this dominance in the Women's Foil Team event, where individual champion Yuka Ueno led her squad to a gold medal finish over the South Koreans after a display of flawless blade work.

Playing on home pistes, the Indian teams showcased remarkable grit and clear moments of resilience against these Olympic-level rosters, ultimately securing a hard-fought 10th-place finish overall.

In the Men’s Sabre Team event, the Indian squad comprising Vishal Thapar, Karan Singh, Gisho Nidhi Kumaresan Padma, and Lakshay Badser fought aggressively in the initial rounds, riding high on the momentum of placing three fencers in the top 32 earlier in the week.

Although they were eventually halted in the quarterfinals by a deeply experienced Chinese squad, the team's talent was on full display. Notably, Karan Singh showed incredible promise by stringing together quick touches using his trademark explosive off-the-line speed, proving that the Indian contingent can match the pace of the world's best.

The young Indian women's squad, featuring Kanupriya Chawla, Joys Ashitha Stalinraj, Naorem Mina Devi, and Sonia Devi Waikhom, also demonstrated immense fight and used the high-stakes environment to absorb critical international experience. They narrowly missed a quarterfinal berth, but they showed great adaptability by executing sharp tactical adjustments from the coach's side on the fly.

While the relentless pressing of the tier-one Asian nations proved difficult to break down in the demanding 45-point team format, the fierce determination and developmental strides shown by both Indian teams highlight a very bright future for the nation on the international fencing circuit.

International Fencing Federation, Fencing Association of India sign MoU

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the Fencing Association of India (FAI) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation and support the continued growth and promotion of fencing in India in the lead-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The MoU was signed by Abdelmoniem El Husseiny, Interim President of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), and Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the Fencing Association of India (FAI) and Secretary General of the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA), on the sidelines of the Asian Fencing Championships 2026 in New Delhi.

The partnership establishes a framework for collaboration across key areas including athlete promotion, fan engagement, communications, stakeholder outreach, and initiatives aimed at increasing the visibility and appeal of fencing. Through this collaboration, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the Fencing Association of India (FAI) will work together to create opportunities that support athletes, engage new audiences, and contribute to the long-term development of the sport.

Elated on the occasion Abdelmoniem El Husseiny, Interim President, International Fencing Federation (FIE), said, “India represents one of the most exciting growth opportunities for fencing. We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with the Fencing Association of India through this agreement and look forward to working together to increase the sport’s visibility, inspire young athletes, and build momentum on the road to Los Angeles 2028.”

Speaking about the opportunity Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General, Fencing Association of India (FAI) and Secretary General, Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA), said, “This MoU marks an important step in the growth journey of fencing in India. The collaboration with the International Fencing Federation will help us further strengthen the sport’s ecosystem, create greater awareness, and provide enhanced opportunities for athletes to excel. Together, we are committed to building a stronger future for fencing and inspiring the next generation of fencers as we look ahead to LA28.”

Tags : Fencing, Bharat Mandapam, South Korea, Japan, Foil, Sabre