Faridabad, 30 October (H.S.): The eighth edition of the International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO) National Fencing Championship 2026–27 concluded at Shiv Nadar School in Faridabad, with athletes from 44 schools across the country competing in the two-day event.

The championship featured boys and girls in the Under-14, Under-17 and Under-19 age categories, who demonstrated their skills across three fencing disciplines — sabre, foil and épée.

The young fencers impressed with their technical proficiency, speed, tactical awareness and sporting spirit. At the closing ceremony, individual medal winners across various categories and team champions were felicitated with medals and certificates in recognition of their performances.

ISSO Director Akanksha Thapakh said the participation of 44 prominent schools reflected the growing interest in fencing across the country. She described the young athletes’ discipline, mental strength and technical abilities as encouraging, adding that ISSO remained committed to providing students with a stronger platform to progress at national and international levels.

ISSO National Coordinator Satish Mishra expressed his gratitude to Shiv Nadar School for its support in organising the championship. He noted that conducting a national-level competition across multiple fencing disciplines required meticulous planning, effective coordination and precise arrangements. He also commended the participants for displaying commendable sportsmanship and tactical acumen throughout the two-day event.

Under-14: Anika and Anaya Shine

In the Under-14 girls’ épée event, Anika Goel of Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, secured first place, while Yashvi Dubey of JBCN International School, Mulund, finished second. In foil, Anaya Kunwar of Shiv Nadar School claimed gold, followed by Rayna Raveshia of Podar International School in second place. In sabre, Avni Chand of PSG-Clifton International School emerged victorious, while Aarika Bhatia of Shiv Nadar School finished runner-up.

In the boys’ category, Advay Banerjee of The American International School of Muscat secured first place in épée. Kavish Sachidanand Uttekar of Bharati Vidyapeeth Rabindranath Tagore School of Excellence won the foil event, while Naitik Pankaj Gurbani of JBCN International School topped the sabre category.

**Under-17: Shragvi, Aanika and Anant Claim Gold**

In the Under-17 girls’ épée event, Shragvi Sudhir Shetkar of Fravashi International Academy secured first place. Aanika Juvvadi of the International School of Hyderabad won the foil competition, while Ruhin Lamba of Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, emerged victorious in sabre.

In the boys’ category, Anant P. Sathe of Indus International School, Pune, clinched gold in épée. Anubhava Abhijit Pawar of C.P. Goenka International School, Pune, won the foil event, while Ryan Raveshia Rao of Podar International School secured first place in sabre.

Under-19: Naisha, Ameya and Utkarsh Lead the Winners’ List

In the Under-19 girls’ épée event, Naisha Gupta of Step by Step School emerged as the winner. Ameya Kunwar of Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, secured first place in foil, while Tashna Agarwal of Shiv Nadar School, Noida, topped the sabre category.

In the boys’ section, Nishal Kiran Patil of JBCN International School, Mulund, won the épée event. Utkarsh Chauhan of Amity Global School, Gurugram, claimed first place in foil, while Syed Anwar Hussain of D.Y. Patil International School, Nerul, emerged victorious in sabre.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar