New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) Promising Indian fencer Taniksha Khatri is currently training vigorously for the upcoming Senior Asian Fencing Championship, 2026, as the tournament serves as a qualifier for the Aichi- Nagoya Asian Games later this year.
Speaking to UNI on the sidelines of the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ recently, Taniksha, Silver Medalist at the Asian junior championships (2022) and the Commonwealth Junior Championships, said ”Asian championship is coming up, a top 8 finish qualifies a fencer for Asian Games. The Championship will be played in India, and I am looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd.”
The Senior Asian Fencing Championship, 2026, is scheduled to take place from June 18 to June 26 at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi.
Taniksha Khatri, who is part of the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG), has already represented India at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, where she lost to much higher-ranked Man Wai Vivian Kong of Hong Kong 7-15 in the individual epee quarterfinal.
The 22-year-old recounted her journey in fencing, crediting her father for introducing her to the sport.
“I started off as an amateur track and field athlete, but my father suggested fencing to me. I have been into fencing for about 13 years now. I started training in Karnal, and after that, my coach, Vikas sir, was transferred. Then I moved to Patiala. I have been training there for the last 10 years, under Mohit sir. I have always found fencing to be a very unique, stylish and regal sport.”
She felt that fencing is growing in India, as the number of tournaments has increased in the country
“Earlier, there would be just one nationals in fencing, but now we have more tournaments- the Khelo India games, ASMITA games, about 3-4 domestic tournaments, besides this, we are also going for international tournaments. So I think our performance is bound to improve.”
She expressed her admiration for Brazilian fencer Nathalie Moellhausen
“I admire Brazilian fencer Nathalie Moellhausen. I like her game, but also when I read about her life’s journey. I found similarities with my own life. She seems to have faced similar challenges that I faced; she faced them and then made a comeback to become a world champion.”
The Karnal native hopes to be only the second Indian fencer after Bhavani Devi to qualify for the Olympics.
Bhavani Devi is the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics, when she participated in the 2020 Olympic Games.
