Jammu, Sep 15 : Two fencers from Jammu and Kashmir — Shriya Gupta and Vishal Thapar — have been selected to represent India at the 20th Asian Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in 2026, officials said on Tuesday.
The duo becomes the first Sabre fencers from the Union Territory to earn selection to the continental showpiece, marking a significant breakthrough for the sport in the region, they said.
Shriya will compete in the Women’s Sabre Individual and Team events, while Vishal will represent India in the Men’s Sabre Team event.
Ahead of their departure, Tazayun Mukhtar Kawos, JKAS, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, met the two athletes in person to wish them well and see them off.
Speaking after the meeting, Mukhtar said, “Meeting Shriya and Vishal before they leave for Japan was a proud moment for all of us at the Sports Council.”
“What they’ve 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,” she said.
The J&K Sports Council extended its heartfelt wishes to both athletes, saying, “Stand tall, stay focused and make J&K proud.” (KNS)
