The 2026 Senior World Fencing Championships in Hong Kong marked a watershed moment for Indian fencing as two Indian Navy sailors achieved a feat that had never been accomplished before by Indian women in épée. Chief Petty Officer Taniksha Khatri and Petty Officer Prachi Lohan became the first Indian women épée fencers to qualify for the Main Table of 64 at the Senior World Championships, breaking new ground for both the sport and the nation.
Competing against more than 180 of the world’s finest épée fencers at AsiaWorld-Expo, the two sailors showcased exceptional composure, technical excellence and determination. Their performances earned them places among the world’s top competitors, with Taniksha finishing 43rd overall and Prachi securing 58th place. Their historic qualification to the direct elimination stage was celebrated by the Indian Navy, the Fencing Association of India and the wider sporting community as a major milestone in India’s rise in international fencing.
The achievement reflects not only their individual talent but also the growing contribution of the Indian Armed Forces in nurturing athletes competing in Olympic and emerging sports.
Taniksha Khatri’s Rise to International Success
Chief Petty Officer Taniksha Khatri was born on 23 September 2003 in Karnal, Haryana. Her journey into fencing began around 2015 when she attended a summer sports camp at DAV Police Public School. Initially competing in foil, she quickly demonstrated exceptional promise by winning an under-14 gold medal before switching to épée on the advice of her coaches, a decision that would shape her international career.
Sport runs in her family. Her father, Sonu Khatri, is a policeman and a former athlete who was forced to leave competitive sport following a back injury. Inspired by his sporting background, Taniksha dedicated herself to fencing from a young age and steadily progressed through the national ranks.
Over the years, she has trained under experienced coaches including Mohit Ashwini and former world champion Nathalie Moellhausen, while also gaining valuable exposure through training programmes in France.
Her list of achievements before reaching the senior world stage was already impressive. Taniksha became a three-time Junior National Champion and won individual and team silver medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Junior Championships in London. She also helped India secure a team silver medal at the Asian Junior Championships in Tashkent the same year.
One of her biggest breakthroughs came at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where she reached the women’s épée quarterfinals, recording what was then India’s best-ever individual result in fencing at the Games. Although she narrowly missed qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, she remained focused on improving her international ranking and building towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.
At the 2026 World Championships, Taniksha produced one of the finest performances by an Indian fencer at the senior level. She won five of her six pool bouts to finish first in her group and earn direct qualification to the Main Table of 64. In the Round of 64 she faced Japan’s Rin Kishimoto and fought a competitive contest before losing 12-15. Her overall 43rd-place finish became the highest-ever result by an Indian woman in épée at the Senior World Championships.
Prachi Lohan’s Journey to the World Stage
Petty Officer Prachi Lohan has rapidly emerged as one of India’s brightest young fencing talents. Originally from Haryana and associated with the Jind region, she began fencing while studying in Class 7 at Indus Public School, Jind, after discovering the sport through school activities.
The Indian Navy has always been part of her family’s story. Her father served as a Chief Petty Officer in the Indian Navy before retiring, and Prachi has continued that legacy by combining military service with elite sporting excellence.
She first attracted national attention after winning the bronze medal in the Cadet women’s épée event at the 2022 Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships in Tashkent. Her steady improvement continued on the domestic circuit, culminating in victory at the 33rd Senior National Fencing Championships in 2023. In an exciting final, she defeated Taniksha Khatri by a narrow 15-14 margin to claim the national title.
At the World Championships in Hong Kong, Prachi demonstrated remarkable resilience. After finishing fourth in her pool, she advanced through the preliminary knockout rounds with a series of impressive performances. One of the highlights of her campaign was a stunning 15-14 victory over China’s Yang Jingwen, who entered the tournament as the World No. 25 and China’s top-ranked competitor.
Her reward was a Round of 64 clash against Italy’s Giulia Rizzi, one of the world’s leading épée fencers and a member of Italy’s Olympic gold medal-winning team. Prachi pushed the experienced Italian all the way before narrowly losing 14-15. She concluded the competition in 58th place, becoming only the second Indian woman to reach the Main Table of 64 alongside her fellow Navy teammate.
A Historic Moment for Indian Fencing
The Senior World Fencing Championships represent the highest level of international fencing outside the Olympic Games. Qualifying for the Main Table of 64 is regarded as a major achievement because it requires athletes to survive highly competitive pool stages and preliminary knockout rounds against the world’s strongest fencers.
For Indian women’s épée, no athlete had previously reached this stage at a Senior World Championships. The simultaneous qualification of Taniksha Khatri and Prachi Lohan therefore represents a defining moment in the history of Indian fencing.
Fencing Association of India and Fencing Confederation of Asia Secretary General Rajeev Mehta described the achievement as a landmark for Indian fencing, saying it reflected the exceptional talent, dedication and perseverance of both athletes while demonstrating the steadily improving standards of Indian fencing on the global stage.
The Indian Navy also congratulated both sailors, highlighting their success as a proud achievement for the Service and the nation. Their performances further reinforce the Navy’s growing reputation for supporting elite athletes across disciplines beyond traditional military sports.
Looking Ahead
The performances of Chief Petty Officer Taniksha Khatri and Petty Officer Prachi Lohan have significantly strengthened India’s position in international fencing. Along with valuable world ranking points, they return home with invaluable experience gained against Olympic medallists and some of the finest épée fencers in the world.
As preparations continue for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, both athletes are expected to play leading roles in India’s fencing programme. Their breakthrough in Hong Kong has provided fresh confidence that Indian fencers can compete consistently with the world’s best.
More importantly, their success serves as an inspiration for young athletes across the country. Their journey demonstrates how dedication, disciplined training and the support of institutions such as the Indian Navy can help transform talent into historic international achievements.
Chief Petty Officer Taniksha Khatri and Petty Officer Prachi Lohan have not only rewritten India’s record books but have also opened a new chapter for Indian fencing, proving that the nation is steadily emerging as a competitive force on the global stage.
