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Khalsa College’s Bhavani Devi makes history for India at Olympics

PUNJAB NEWS EXPRESS | July 26, 2021 04:40 PM

AMRITSAR:A history of sorts was made by historic Khalsa College’s MA English student Bhavani Devi at the Olympics today as she became not only the first-ever fencer to represent India at the world games but became the first to win a bout too. She made her debut by making the winning start at Tokyo Olympics, Japan, making the College proud, said Principal Dr. Mehal Singh.

Bhavani Devi, 27, who originally hails from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, showcased an extra-ordinary performance during her Women’s Individual Table of 64 bout, beating Tunisia's Nadia Ben Azizi 15-3 today. Dr. Mehal Singh said she had been playing the sport ever since her school days and qualifying for the Olympics was her biggest dream. ``It is a memorable day for India and we all are proud of her performance”, said he.

Khalsa College Governing Council honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina also congratulated Devi and said her memorable performance has made a new history. ``She is the first fencer from India to make it to the Olympic Games, trained extensively in Italy while she was student here”, said Chhina adding that she took admission in the Session 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Khalsa College’s Shooter Divyansh Singh Panwar, a student of B.Sc (Part-I) is also participating in the Olympics in the 10m air rifle event. ``We also have high hopes from Divyansh Singh”, said the Principal adding that it is a historic moment for the College to see its students securing their places in the biggest sporting event in the world. `` Bhawani Devi and Divyansh are maintaining the College’s long tradition of winning in sports”, said he.

Dr. Daljit Singh, head of the Physical Education department of the College said that fencing player Bhawani and Shooter Divyansh have excelled in all their previous competitions as result they were selected for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He said these are very emotional moments for him as it was his dream to see his students playing in the Olympics.

He added that Bhawani Devi has maintained her 37th position in the world rankings and has become the first Indian to go to the Olympics in fencing which itself is a matter of making a new history. He thanked the Principal, the Management and Dr. Sukhdev Singh, Director of Sports, Guru Nanak Dev University, Kanwar Mandeep Singh Jimmy, their entire team and Coaches for assistance.

It was impossible to achieve this status without the cooperation of the Management, Sports Department of GNDU and the allied teachers and staff of the College.

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