New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Fourteen years after picking up a fencing weapon and beginning a journey that has taken her through years of training, Olympic qualification and service in the Indian Navy, Taniksha Khatri has added a Commonwealth Championship gold to her growing list of achievements, defeating compatriot Khushi Dabhade 15-7 in the senior women’s épée final in Nigeria.

For Taniksha, the triumph is less about one successful bout and more about the countless hours spent preparing for moments like it. Having started her fencing journey in 2012, the Indian Navy officer has steadily built her career in a sport that she believes continues to face challenges in terms of support and promotion in the country.

“It has been a long time that I have been practising for this game. Each day of my training has helped me and made me better at my game. Fencing, though a very reputed sport, isn't supported and promoted much in India. And thus there have been many challenges to reach here, but I’m very grateful to my family for always supporting me and being by my side in this journey,” Tanishka said.

The 2026 Commonwealth Championship title is another significant marker in that journey. Taniksha had already shown her potential on the international stage by reaching the 2021 Olympic qualifiers, and the latest success provides another boost as she looks towards the next major targets on the calendar.

Behind the competitive results has been a support system that Taniksha credits for helping her remain on course. Her coaches have played a key role in developing her skills, while the Indian Navy has provided encouragement and backing as she has pursued fencing alongside her service.

“All my coaches have trained me efficiently and I’m thankful for them. A big shout-out and special mention to the Indian Navy for their support, motivation and guidance,” she added.

Her gold came in a tightly contested all-Indian final only on the scoreboard in terms of the final result, with Taniksha eventually pulling away to register a 15-7 victory over Dabhade and claim the women’s épée title.

Yet Taniksha is already looking beyond Nigeria. The Commonwealth triumph has strengthened her belief that the years invested in fencing can take her closer to the biggest stages in the sport, with the Asian competitions and the Olympics now firmly in her sights.

“The Commonwealth Championship was a wonderful experience and I’m looking forward to the upcoming Asians and Olympics. I will now train for it to give the best of my best. In the end, it is not only Taniksha who has won, but India who got Gold,” she concluded.

--IANS

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