From Ramban to the World Stage: Sufiyan Waheed Sohil Inspires Kashmiri Youth Through Fencing

Fencing, an Olympic discipline, has transformed Sufiyan Waheed Sohil's life. The 18-year-old international epee fencer from a village in Ramban district, nearly 120 km from Jammu, has gained opportunities to travel internationally through sports.

Over the past seven years, he has competed in two junior world championships and was part of the national team that won bronze at the 2024 Commonwealth Cadet and Junior Fencing Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Today, Sohil serves as a role model to young people in and around his village. "School students from my village and nearby areas ask for my guidance. I encourage them to pursue sports, especially fencing. To motivate them, I even lend my unused fencing equipment and sports kit," Sohil shared with MyKhel after winning individual gold in epee at the recent All India Inter University Fencing Meet in Jammu.

"Life is tough back in Kashmir Valley. There are few opportunities for physical activities in my village," added Sohil, a second-year college student. "But I was lucky-sports changed my life."

Currently, Sohil is a leading junior epee fencer. His coach, Deepak Singh, at Patiala's NCOE (National Center of Excellence) in Punjab, praised his discipline and talent. "He [Sufiyan] is 6 feet tall and has made significant progress since joining NCOE," Singh said. "He has the potential to excel on the big stage in the next three to four years."

The second of four siblings in the Sohil family from Ramsu Sujmatna, district Ramban, Sufiyan had the chance to learn fencing fundamentals when his father, a state police employee, was posted to Jammu in 2017. It was a turning point for the enthusiastic teenager. His school's physical education teacher, Anthony Mattoo, introduced the basics of fencing, sparking Sufiyan's interest. He began dedicating his spare time to developing his skills.

Growing up in a hilly area, Sohil was already physically fit, which helped him advance quickly in fencing. Within a year, he won a gold medal at the 2018 national school meet. His exceptional performance earned him a spot at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) NCOE in Patiala, Punjab.

Achieving excellence was challenging, as his family couldn't afford fencing equipment. But he wasn't deterred-he borrowed gear and kept practicing. "Lack of equipment didn't discourage me. I won a medal at the national school games with borrowed gear," Sohil said. "Joining NCOE in Patiala provided me with better facilities."

Fencing, according to Sohil, has offered him the chance to learn and travel. "Every day I'm learning and progressing," he added.