"Preparations start immediately": Indian Fencer Tejas Manoj Patil on upcoming World Championship
New Delhi, June 25
Indian fencer Tejas Manoj Patil has turned his attention to the upcoming World Championship and Commonwealth Games after the Indian men's foil fencing team secured qualification for the 2026 Asian Games.
Speaking to ANI following the qualification achievement, Patil said his immediate focus would be on preparing for the major international events scheduled in the coming months.
"I will try to perform well at the World Championship. World Championship is next month, and the Commonwealth Games are the month after that... I will start preparations for these immediately after this competition ends," Patil told ANI.
The competitive action at the 26th Asian Senior Fencing Championship reached its absolute peak on the final day at Bharat Mandapam on Wednesday, with the last two team titles decided in intense clashes on the pistes, according to a release.
Host nation India showed clear technical growth and marked a monumental developmental step forward while matching up against Asia's elite, deeply seasoned Olympic-cycle structures.
In the Men's Foil Team category, the local rotation of Sachin, Sanasam Hemash Singh, Tejas Manoj Patil, and Aditya relied on rapid blade-work and close-quarter infighting. Backed by an electric home crowd, they minimised unforced errors and stayed highly competitive in their middle-relay blocks against world-class opposition to secure an impressive 8th position, locking in a direct qualification spot for the upcoming Asian Games.
Meanwhile, the Women's Épee Team of Prachi Lohan, Taniksha Khatri, Mitva Jesangbhai Chaudhari, and Yashkeerat Kaur Hayer brought immense tactical grit to the strip. Building on individual baselines, the local foursome successfully managed the clock and distance against towering continental units to show outstanding structural resilience and lock down a solid 9th-place ranking.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great achievement for Indian fencing! But honestly, we need more grassroots programs and better funding if we want to compete at the Olympics level. These athletes are doing wonders with limited resources. Hope the government takes note and invests more in sports infrastructure beyond just cricket. Kudos to Tejas and the entire team! 👏
Wah! Kya baat hai! Indian fencing team qualifying for Asian Games directly is a huge milestone. The Women's Épee team finishing 9th is also commendable. Proud moment for all of us. Tejas's dedication is inspiring - starting preparations immediately for World Championship shows the hunger. All the best to the team! 🏆
This is fantastic news for Indian sports! Fencing is such an underrated sport in our country, but events like these show our athletes can compete at the highest level. The mention of "rapid blade-work and close-quarter infighting" reminds me of how our traditional martial arts like Gatka emphasize similar skills. Hope this inspires more youngsters to take up fencing!
Impressive progress from India in fencing! I've been following the Asian Championships and the Indian team has shown real growth. The combination of young talent like Tejas and experienced players is working well. The Commonwealth Games will be a great opportunity for them to shine on a global stage. Keep pushing! 💪
So proud of our fencing girls! The Women's Épee team with Prachi, Taniksha, Mitva, and Yashkeerat showing "t
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