<p>Olympian C A Bhavani Devi on Monday created history by securing India's first-ever medal, a bronze after losing in the semifinal of the women's sabre event at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi, China.</p>.<p>Bhavani lost to Uzbekistan's Zaynab Dayibekova in a hard-fought semifinals 14-15, but ensured India its maiden medal in the prestigious event.</p>.<p>Bhavani had earlier stunned reigning world champion Misaki Emura of Japan 15-10 in the quarterfinals to script history.</p>.<p>Misaki had won the women's sabre gold medal at the 2022 World Fencing Championships held in Cairo.</p>.<p>It was Bhavani's first win over Misaki as she had lost all her matches against the Japanese in the past.</p>.<p>The 29-year-old Bhavani had received a bye in the round of 64 before beating Dospay Karina of Kazakhstan in the next round.</p>.<p>Bhavani then upset third seed Ozaki Seri 15-11 in the pre-quarterfinals.</p>.<p>Fencing Association of India secretary-general Rajeev Mehta congratulated Bhavani on her historic achievement.</p>.<p>"It is a very proud day for Indian fencing. Bhavani has achieved what no one could achieve before. She is the first Indian fencer to win a medal at the prestigious Asian Championships. On behalf of the entire fencing fraternity, I congratulate her," Mehta told <em>PTI</em>.</p>.<p>"Although she lost in the semifinal, the contest was very close. It was a matter of just point. So it's a big improvement."</p>.<p>Bhavani Devi, who became the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics, exited in the round of 32 at the Tokyo Games.</p>
<p>Olympian C A Bhavani Devi on Monday created history by securing India's first-ever medal, a bronze after losing in the semifinal of the women's sabre event at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi, China.</p>.<p>Bhavani lost to Uzbekistan's Zaynab Dayibekova in a hard-fought semifinals 14-15, but ensured India its maiden medal in the prestigious event.</p>.<p>Bhavani had earlier stunned reigning world champion Misaki Emura of Japan 15-10 in the quarterfinals to script history.</p>.<p>Misaki had won the women's sabre gold medal at the 2022 World Fencing Championships held in Cairo.</p>.<p>It was Bhavani's first win over Misaki as she had lost all her matches against the Japanese in the past.</p>.<p>The 29-year-old Bhavani had received a bye in the round of 64 before beating Dospay Karina of Kazakhstan in the next round.</p>.<p>Bhavani then upset third seed Ozaki Seri 15-11 in the pre-quarterfinals.</p>.<p>Fencing Association of India secretary-general Rajeev Mehta congratulated Bhavani on her historic achievement.</p>.<p>"It is a very proud day for Indian fencing. Bhavani has achieved what no one could achieve before. She is the first Indian fencer to win a medal at the prestigious Asian Championships. On behalf of the entire fencing fraternity, I congratulate her," Mehta told <em>PTI</em>.</p>.<p>"Although she lost in the semifinal, the contest was very close. It was a matter of just point. So it's a big improvement."</p>.<p>Bhavani Devi, who became the first Indian fencer to qualify for the Olympics, exited in the round of 32 at the Tokyo Games.</p>