Indian fencer Bhavani Devi creates history

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Chennai, May 29: India's C A Bhavani Devi has won the gold medal in the sabre event of the Turnoi Satellite Fencing Championship held at Reykjavik in Iceland.

In the final on Saturday (May 27), she beat Sarah Jane Hampson of Great Britain 15-13 on points, said a press note here.

The Chennai woman had beaten another British fencer Jessica Corby 15-11 in the semifinal.

The release said Bhavani Devi became the first Indian to win a gold medal in an international fencing event. She had previously won a silver medal in a satellite event.

She now trains at the Sports Authority of India Centre at Thalassery.

"This is my third time in this competition. I have lost in quarterfinals in previous years. Now I have won my first medal. It is also the first medal in world level competition as I have won medals in Asian and Commonwealth championships," a delighted Bhavani told PTI from Reykjavik.

The competition was tough from the quarterfinals onwards, she said and added that in the semifinal and final, the British fencers made her work very hard for victory.

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Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag congratulated her on Twitter.

PTI