VBF Fencers Dominate: 7 Medals at 1st Senior Ranking Tournament
Vijayi Bharat Foundation fencers secure 7 medals, including a near-sweep of the women's foil, at the Senior Ranking Fencing Tournament in Ahmedabad.
The fencers of the Vijayi Bharat Foundation (VBF) delivered a commanding performance at the 1st Senior Ranking Fencing Tournament 2026–27, claiming a total of seven medals. The event, held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, saw VBF athletes showcase their versatility and skill across the women’s foil, sabre, and epee disciplines.
A Near-Sweep in Women's Foil
The highlight of the tournament for VBF was the women's foil event, where the foundation's athletes virtually owned the podium. Out of the four medals available, VBF secured three, demonstrating a dominant grip on this category.
- Dippanshi Netam: Gold Medal
- Jasmine: Silver Medal
- Kanupriya: Bronze Medal
Reflecting on her victory, gold medalist Dippanshi Netam expressed that winning at a senior ranking level is a rewarding experience that pushes an athlete to constantly improve. She noted that the hard work put into training translated into success and mentioned that sharing the podium with her teammates, Jasmine and Kanupriya, made the win even more meaningful.
Consistent Success Across Sabre and Epee
The VBF momentum extended beyond the foil, with athletes securing podium finishes in the other two individual disciplines, proving their depth across different fencing styles.
Women's Sabre
In the sabre event, VBF athletes bagged three medals:
- Nitika: Silver Medal
- Vandita Barad: Bronze Medal
- Abi Devi Laishram: Bronze Medal
Women's Epee
The foundation's medal tally was further bolstered in the epee category, where Nelcyrose Devi secured a bronze medal.
Expert Insight and Future Goals
The tournament was organized by the Amateur Fencing Association of Gujarat State under the guidance of the Fencing Association of India. VBF Coach Vijay Kumar praised the athletes, highlighting the foil podium sweep as a significant achievement that reflects the composure and consistency of the fencers.
"The medals in sabre and epee are equally encouraging and point to progress across disciplines. The athletes have worked hard in training, and these results provide both confidence and valuable learning as they continue to develop," said Coach Vijay Kumar.
Coach Kumar emphasized that the foundation's future focus will remain on refining technique and building the consistency needed to tackle the challenges of upcoming competitions.
Building a Fencing Powerhouse
This seven-medal haul is a testament to the structured training and coaching provided at VBF's high-performance fencing facility in Ahmedabad. By investing in athlete development across foil, sabre, and epee, the Vijayi Bharat Foundation aims to nurture talent capable of competing at the highest national and international levels.