Bhavani Devi – both a champion and a role model for Indian fencing

She is wearing the red VIP pheta one moment, and giving a rousing speech to fellow participants at the Fencing Nationals to dream big and stay focused. Next instance, CA Bhavani Devi is on the main elevated pe, toes poised, on the ready to charge forward, the blunted blade pinging targets quickly to 8 points, then racing to 15, and eventually her 11th national championship title.
One touch at a time: Bhavani Devi. (Photo Courtesy: Bhavani Devi)
As fencing’s only Indian Olympian, Bhavani has embraced her role as being the sole mascot happily. It’s not just an Asian Games medal that’s on her radar, it’s the advancement of her sport in the country, doing things first and doing them correctly.
“I have a responsibility towards Indian fencing,” she says at the Pune hotel where she’s staying. “Given all the help I’ve got from India, I feel very grateful, and want to set an example for others,” she says.
Bhavani’s in and out of the city in two days, flying in from Paris one dawn, headed back two midnights later after winning the individual gold in sabre, and turning out for the team too. But it’s what she’s seen back in France, which is her training base now, that makes her dutifully return for the Nationals each year.
“Fencing is just one of the many sports they are good at. They have so many champions. Recently, France won their most medals at the Worlds, and I was flying with their team. There was no one at the airport to receive them or to celebrate. They just got into cabs and headed home. Compared to that, we are getting so much attention and support just for being at the Olympics! We must make use of everything that’s been done for us and deliver results,” she urges.
Bhavani Devi. (File)
“The number of participants at the Nationals has gone up. Former players have taken to coaching. Many states have fencing centres and even foreign coaches. Things are looking up but we have a long way to go (in results).”
A cut above
The Nationals are the only time Indians get to watch Bhavani fence live, and a crowd gathers around her pe. She is approached for selfies and autographs the whole time she sits with her mother, waiting for her event to start. A three-hour delay on account of the opening ceremony is shrugged off, as she switches to competition mode in a matter of seconds.
Bhavani secured an Olympic spot during the World Cup in Hungary in March. (File Photo)
Visibly faster than most of her opponents, but also technically more sophicated, one can tell her apart even without the tricolour mask. The stance is smoother, the explosive bursts are more sudden and measured. The aggression is more calibrated, like French coach Chrian Bauer wants it to be, though opponents here are hardly world-class.
The hands might be doing all the charging, but it’s the footwork that’s more sophicated. “French tactics are more with the feet, it’s very different from the Italian style. The coach demands more perfection and more aggression,” she explains.
Bhavani moved to Orleans, a small city in France, from her southern Italian base after the Tokyo Olympics, in what is a definite upgrade in coaching even within Europe where she’s been based for many years now. “My coach trained the Chinese team for the Beijing Games, he was with the Italians for Athens and the Russians for Tokyo. The No.1 men’s sabre, and No.2 and No.5 women’s sabre fencers are at his academy so my sparring is at a much higher level. Also timewise, I’m training double hours now, almost 6-7 hours,” she says.
Bhavani Devi. (File)
While sabre is all about speed, Bhavani advises Indians to be measured. “In India, sabre is just run, run, run. But you have to run and attack with a plan. You have to be ready to be explosive using speed at the right moments and to the right rhythm,” she adds.
There are the Asian Championships, Asian Games and World Championships, but also World Cups in Georgia and Seoul. The Olympic qualification period, to begin compiling points, starts in April. Training at Bauer’s was good also because the Chinese team trained there briefly, and Bhavani got acquainted with them too.
She misses India at times though. “Not about English, it’s a fairly international mixed group there anyway, so that’s fine. I don’t know what French food is besides the bakery products, so I stick to pasta, rice and salads. But I miss India during festivals. And just having people around. There are times in Orleans when there might be just 2-3 people on the whole street in the evening! It’s very quiet.”
Silence is the sacrifice to be made for training at one of the best facilities for fencing. Bhavani Devi doesn’t complain.

Epee gets 17-year-old national champion
Prachi Lohan, a tall, rangy 17-year-old from Jind in Haryana, bagged the epee gold beating seasoned multiple-time champion Tanisha Khatri 15-14. The Class 12 student surprised herself as she was still healing from a knee injury, and was in fact advised not to participate her doctor.
Prachi Lohan.
“But all the main selections for the Asian Games, etc will happen based on Nationals. So I decided to take a risk,” Prachi said.
“I love fencing and can’t be kept away from the sport ever since I started at age 12 taking it up as an evening sport at school,” she added. Beating Tanisha was unexpected. “She’s an inspiration and I had never beaten her before so this is a special win,” said the prodigy.

Prone to taking the pressure of expectations, Prachi competed without any stress this time. “That’s the only thing I did differently. No pressure. Otherwise, I take a lot of stress. Now I’ll rest and prepare for the Asian championship and Asian Games,” said the youngster who wants to become an Army officer. “I love the uniform and I love fencing. Those are the two things I want to do,” Prachi, who’s medalled at Asian youth events, said.

She’s keen on taking part in international meets having missed a few because of being late in applying for a visa. “I know I’ll do well internationally. I just need an opportunity.” Her long reach – she’s 5’10” – is her biggest advantage, and her technique and speed are additional gifts.
Besides fencing, Prachi reads, sketches and is also good at studies. “I scored 94 percent last year. I’m ok at studies. But fencing is my love,” she added.