Bhavani, India\u2019s trailblazing Olympian, progressed to the pre-quarterfinals after recovering from a difficult pool-stage outing but could not go beyond the last 16.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Indian sabre fencer suffered three defeats in the pool stage, losing 1-5 to South Korea\u2019s Jeongmi Kim, 4-5 to Iran\u2019s Najmeh Sazanjian and 4-5 to Uzbekistan\u2019s Zaynab Dayibekova.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She, however, kept her hopes alive by securing victories in her next two bouts, beating Kazakhstan\u2019s Aigerim Sarybay 5-4 and Thailand\u2019s Arisara Somphao 5-2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bhavani then defeated Mongolia\u2019s Oulen Tugsjargal 15-8 in the round of 32 to enter the pre-quarterfinals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Her run finally ended against China\u2019s Rao Xueyi, the silver medallist at the 2026 World Championships. Rao produced a dominant display to register a 15-5 victory and seal Bhavani\u2019s exit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shreya also reached the round of 16 before her campaign was halted by South Korea\u2019s Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Jeon Ha-young, who defeated the Indian 15-6.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bhavani\u2019s participation marked her return to the Asian Games stage after making history as India\u2019s first fencer to compete at the Olympics at Tokyo 2020. She had returned to international competition earlier this year at the Asian Senior Fencing Championships following a two-month break from competitive action.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shreya also reached the round of 16 before her campaign was halted by South Korea\u2019s Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Jeon Ha-young, who defeated the Indian 15-6.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The squad was selected by the Fencing Association of India\u2019s selection committee based on performances at the Asian Senior Fencing Championships, World Fencing Championships and Commonwealth Fencing Championships.<\/p>\r\n\r\n