Bhavani Devi became the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics.

CA Bhavani Devi of Tamil Nadu has become the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympic Games. After losing in the quarter-finals of the team event, Kerpan Fenner advanced to the World Cup in Hungary, helping South Korea enter the semi-finals. Bhavani Devi qualified through the Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR) method. As of 5 April 2021, two different spots were taken for Asia and Oceania region based on world rankings. He is ranked 45 and occupies one of the two available slots based on rankings.

It’s a historical moment @IamBhavaniDevi Became the first ever from India to qualify for @Olympic Individual saber of women based on adjusted official rankings in the male and female saber World Cup in Budapest. Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/aCoL0L6Fbt

– SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) March 14, 2021

The 27-year qualification will be confirmed when the ranking is made official on the above date.

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju congratulated Bhavani Devi on qualifying for the Olympics.

She tweeted, “Congratulations to Indian Fenner Bhavani Devi, who has qualified for Tokyo Olympics! She has become the first Indian fan to achieve this feat. My best wishes to @IamBhavaniDevi,” she tweeted.

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The eight-time national champions had failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics. However, it intensified efforts to qualify for the Tokyo Games and continued training abroad in Italy under coach Nicola Zanotti before halting the COVID-19-inspired shutdown qualification process.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics was called off due to the COVID-19 epidemic and is scheduled to take place from 23 July to 8 August this year.