Jammu, Sep 14: In a historic achievement for the sporting fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir, sabre fencers Shriya Gupta and Vishal Thapar have been selected to represent India at the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in 2026.
The selection marks a significant milestone for fencing in Jammu and Kashmir, with Shriya Gupta and Vishal Thapar becoming the first Sabre fencers from the Union Territory to secure a place at the Asian Games.
Shriya Gupta will compete in the Women’s Sabre Individual and Team events, while Vishal Thapar will represent the country in the Men’s Sabre Team event.
Their selection is being seen as a major recognition of the growing talent and competitive potential of fencing in Jammu and Kashmir. The achievement also reflects the years of dedication, disciplined training and hard work put in by the two athletes.
Ahead of their departure for Japan, Tazayun Mukhtar Kawos, JKAS, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, met the two fencers and conveyed his best wishes for their participation at the prestigious international sporting event.
Speaking on the occasion, Mukhtar said that the selection of Shriya and Vishal was a matter of immense pride for the entire Sports Council and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Meeting Shriya and Vishal before they leave for Japan was a proud moment for all of us at the Sports Council. What they have achieved, becoming the first Sabre fencers from J&K to reach the Asian Games, is the result of years of discipline and hard work. The whole of J&K is behind them, and we can’t wait to see them compete on that stage,” he said.
The J&K Sports Council extended its heartfelt wishes to both athletes for their upcoming campaign, expressing confidence that their participation would inspire a new generation of young fencers across the Union Territory.
The historic selection of Shriya Gupta and Vishal Thapar has added another significant chapter to the sporting journey of Jammu and Kashmir, with the duo now set to carry the hopes and aspirations of the region onto the Asian Games stage in Japan.(KNC)
