Chennai girl CA Bhavani Devi has won a gold medal in fencing at the Tournoi Satellite World Cup in Reykjavik, Iceland, becoming the first Indian fencer to win an international gold medal.
Bhavani who trains at the Sports Authority of India centre in Thallasery beat Sarah Jane Thompson of Great Britain 15-13 in the finals to clinch the gold medal.
Talking to PTI from Reykjavik, Bhawani said, "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."
Bhavani Devi has won a bronze medal at 2009 CommonWealth Championship held in Malaysia bronze medals in 2010 International Open, Thailand; 2010 International Championship, Philippines; 2012 Common Wealth Championship, Jersey; 2015 Asian Championship, Mongolia and 2015 Flemish Open. In 2014 Asian Championship under 23 categories in the Philippines she bagged the Silver medal becoming the first Indian to do so.
Indian cricketing legend Virender Sehwag tweeted a congratulatory note for the fencer.
Congratulations C A Bhavani Devi for becoming first Indian Fencer to win gold at an international event .
Jai Bhavani ! pic.twitter.com/yktOtP7Ssk