In a quiet roof in Jammu and Kashmir during the locking Covid-19, Rishik Khajuria fertilized against the shadows. Without hand no coach and without my own sliding under my feet drilled leg between the border walls, her saber cut the arcs through the air.
Many kilometers far in Rohr, a small town in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Jyotika Dutt was already a veteran of the national circuit. Her journey to sport began at the age of 13, when her cousin introduced her to the fencing, which is too late according to international standards, but soon compared to Rishika, who began at the age of 19.
She moved from the first embarrassing matches to the quarterfinals of the Asian Games, over 20 medals at senior and junior Nationals and a place at the National Institute of Sport in Patiala.
They are in many ways at the opposite ends of the same slope. Rishika, 25 years old, is a growing saber specialist from the region that produces a constant stream of swordsmen at national level. Jyotika, 29, is one of the few elite swordsmen Himachal Pradesh, who bears a double burden of competition internationally and creates awareness at home.
Rishik’s first meeting with fencing was almost random. She was interested when her neighbor practiced sport.
“I was excited when I saw it. Once I tried it, I thought I should do it,” says Indianay.in.
But her entry at the age of 19 drew skepticism. “Everyone was like,” You can’t do it, don’t waste time. “Fencing requires as many basic skills as your feet work, and I wasn’t good at the beginning.”
Jyotika nods to the challenge to start late. “I started when I was 13, but that’s too late. They start in other countries at five. It’s like gymnastics.”
For Rishica, doubts have become fuel.
Her will caused her to improve during COVID-19 lock.
“It was just me and my inner voice against others,” he says. “I wanted to do it at all costs. So I did it.”
“Most people around me told me I couldn’t. That caused me. I thought,” I have to prove that they’re wrong. “Even after my first medal, some of them were lucky.
Main recognition
In July this year he added Under Armor, American sports giant, Giant, Jyotika Dutt and Rishik Khajuria to his list of athletes. For Sport niche, it is still fighting for mainstream attention in India, it was a rare recognition.
Recognition was sweeter for its lack. “I feel great that I was recognized by the global brand (under Armor). I feel so special with them.
Constant growth
For the breakthrough of Jyotics and Rishics, the breakthrough of Ca Bhavani Devi was more than symbolic – thanks to their professional trails it felt credible.
Indian fence has existed since the 1970s. The 20th century, but its modern momentum owes a lot of Bhavani to become the first Indian swordsman to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2021. Although the Paris 2024 missed the narrowest margins, her run at the games and her medals in social games and Asian championships caused interests on Grassroots. Participation in Nationals has increased by more than 50 percent in recent years and the government has recognized the potential of sport and offered training at Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Patiala, Kerala, Assam and now boasts better facilities and equipment.
Sport, which was limited to only a few states in India, is now spreading wings. In 2023, fencing from 29 countries competed on the national members.
“After Bhavani went to the Olympics, there was a lot of improvement,” says Jyotika.
“We did not get to the stage where the fencing is a sustainable career option.
For Jyotik, the road was personally marked by peaks and valleys. “During my career I saw many heights and minimal. I was in one place No. 1. But I had to deal with injuries. But I bounced off. I continued.
Meanwhile, Rishika watched her home state transforms. “There is a boom in Jamm and Kashmir. Relatively few children come daily to join sports. There were seniors who did well at national and international level. Then I came. I do well. Parents come and want their children to chase this sport.
Is fencing complex?
For the uninitiated, the fencing can be a little confused. Since the first games it is part of the Olympics, but its technical and technical, but difficult to follow.
“We have three events in fencing,” Jyotika explains. “The fetus, Rishika makes saber and the third is foil. Each has different target areas. In PE it is the whole body. In the saber it is the upper body, arm, head and back. In the foil it is from shoulders to trap and back.”
He adds: “Now it is all electric – we wear bodywork, electric jackets and masks connected to the computer. When you touch the opponent, you get red or green light on the screen. In PE scores with a blade point that has a button on the tip.
Fencing is like chess
Rishika describes his event with pride. “Saber is the most frantic and fastest format. The goal is the upper body. Inside the electric jacket there is a wire that is connected to the device. Fencing is like mental chess.”
“You only get a second to think and respond to what the opponent is doing. You need fast reflexes and the ability to decide quickly. Fencing is faster than the beginning of the racing car. It’s the second fastest event at the Olympics. Sabre is the fastest in sport.”
I can’t get angry with
While the reflexes must be sharp razors, the mind must become more sharper. Body training builds the body, but the mental edge comes from drills intended to improve concentration.
“Meditation, specific exercises for mind control and reaction exercise,” says Rishika.
“I have to be patient for my event, so I train for it – I watch my opponent a lot. To compete at the highest level, I have to understand their style before I enter the ski slope.”
Driving of emotions is equally essential. One flash of temperament can cancel the match.
“It is easy to get angry in combat sport,” says Rishika. “But if you get, you lose. When we started, we got angry – say that when someone hits a helmet. Now you have to control your body, stay calm, but keep your movements and reflexes quickly.”
Influence on social media?
For Rishik, social media is a way to bridge the gap of the visibility of the fencing. A 25 -year -old woman is also a fitness enthusiast and content creator and uses her platform to inspire and involve the audience through sport and wellness.
“Since fencing in India is a new sport, we will not get many sponsors. So it is important to attract attention through social media. This is a plan.”
The Under Armor Agreement is proof that their perseverance pays off – a rare global nod for two women from small towns that create a mark in the elite and demand sport.
Jyotika now trains with his eyes for other Asian games. Rishika is fresh of her Stint – experience in learning – from the world’s university games. Among them represent different phases of Indian trips about fencing: one in a state that still wakes up to sport, the other in the region where participation is developing.
These differences will disappear at the Congress. There are only two athletes armed with blades, reflexes and will to constantly prove themselves. And yet, carving a sharper and surreal path for Indian fencing.
– ends
Published:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
August 14, 2025
