Nagpur: She refused to be a fence-sitter but be a sabre rattler — quite literally. So, 22-year-old Shruti Joshi — born to a middle-class family in Mangalwari near Itwari — scripted a story driven by struggle, perseverance, and resilience so that those sitting across the fence appreciate her laurels. Her journey from a modest background (father Dharmendra Joshi, a private car driver and mother Saroj, a homemaker) to becoming Nagpur’s first National Games medallist in fencing is incredibly inspiring.
In the 38th edition of the Games being held in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, Shruti won a bronze medal in the women’s individual Sabre event, giving Nagpur fencers in particular and sports enthusiasts in general, a reason to cheer on Monday. Shruti hogged the limelight with her never-say-die approach when she gave a rare scare to India’s first Olympic Games fencing qualifier CA Bhavani Devi of Tamil Nadu. In the semifinal of the individual Sabre event, 31-year-old Bhavani — given her experience — edged out Shruti 10-15.
“The 10 points Shruti scored against Bhavani became a talking point at the National Games. She might have had a nervous start in the semifinal perhaps cost her the match. In the coming years, Shruti has it in her to beat Bhavani, and if she maintains her current form, she could well become the best in India,” said Nagpur Fencing Association secretary Mohammed Shoeb.
Shruti’s father, Dharmendra Joshi, is still paying EMI for the loan he took when his daughter represented India in Jordan in 2019. In 2023, too, Shruti represented the country at the Asian Cadet and Junior Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. “Twice I sent Shruti to compete in international championships. Though there were some problems, as a parent, it is my duty and responsibility to help Shruti achieve her dream. Shruti has brought laurels to Nagpur and Maharashtra, and we are happy for her remarkable feat,” Dharmendra told TOI on Monday.
Shruti, too, was elated after winning her maiden National Games medal. “I won a handful of medals at senior nationals, but the National Games bronze medal is special as it might help me get a govt job. In addition to the medal, the way I fought against India’s best fencer Bhavani Devi gave me confidence to emerge as the country’s best in three years with determined and firm strides.”
Shruti said, “I want to represent India and win an Olympics medal and competing in the 2028 LA Games is my target. I know it won’t be that easy due to precarious financial constraints. To qualify for the Olympics, first I need to participate in many international competitions to improve my rankings in the coming three years. But to participate in international competitions, I need financial support, and currently it is beyond my family’s means. All I can do is to work hard and become India’s best fencer.”
Had it not been Bhavani Devi in the semifinal, Shruti could well have entered the finals. “This was the second time I played Bhavani. Last month at the Kannur nationals, she outclassed me because I was very nervous to face India’s first Olympian fencer. Today, I played confidently and was able to score a handful of points. She defeated me with her vast experience. If I work hard, I will surely beat her,” Shruti told TOI.
Shruti’s love for fencing began through her cousin who used to play the sport at Jaripatka. “My uncle’s son used to go fencing, and when I saw players with unique clothing and a sword in hand, I immediately loved the sport. Soon I started playing, and within a couple of years, I played a pivotal role in winning the State team gold medal,” Shruti said.
She added, “My first coach was Ankeet Gajbhiye. He and members of Nagpur Fencing Association helped me in various ways. After 4-5 years, I was inducted at Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Kerala, where I am currently trained by Sagar Lagu and Arun Rajkumar.”
In her first bout, Shruti outplayed Haryana’s Manju 15-2 before getting the better of Shreya from Jammu and Kashmir 15-10. In the quarterfinals, Shruti defeated Chhattisgarh’s Vedika Khushi 15-10 to confirm Nagpur’s first National Games’ fencing medal by qualifying for the last four stage, where she went down fighting against Bhavani.
In the 38th edition of the Games being held in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, Shruti won a bronze medal in the women’s individual Sabre event, giving Nagpur fencers in particular and sports enthusiasts in general, a reason to cheer on Monday. Shruti hogged the limelight with her never-say-die approach when she gave a rare scare to India’s first Olympic Games fencing qualifier CA Bhavani Devi of Tamil Nadu. In the semifinal of the individual Sabre event, 31-year-old Bhavani — given her experience — edged out Shruti 10-15.
“The 10 points Shruti scored against Bhavani became a talking point at the National Games. She might have had a nervous start in the semifinal perhaps cost her the match. In the coming years, Shruti has it in her to beat Bhavani, and if she maintains her current form, she could well become the best in India,” said Nagpur Fencing Association secretary Mohammed Shoeb.
Shruti’s father, Dharmendra Joshi, is still paying EMI for the loan he took when his daughter represented India in Jordan in 2019. In 2023, too, Shruti represented the country at the Asian Cadet and Junior Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. “Twice I sent Shruti to compete in international championships. Though there were some problems, as a parent, it is my duty and responsibility to help Shruti achieve her dream. Shruti has brought laurels to Nagpur and Maharashtra, and we are happy for her remarkable feat,” Dharmendra told TOI on Monday.
Shruti, too, was elated after winning her maiden National Games medal. “I won a handful of medals at senior nationals, but the National Games bronze medal is special as it might help me get a govt job. In addition to the medal, the way I fought against India’s best fencer Bhavani Devi gave me confidence to emerge as the country’s best in three years with determined and firm strides.”
Shruti said, “I want to represent India and win an Olympics medal and competing in the 2028 LA Games is my target. I know it won’t be that easy due to precarious financial constraints. To qualify for the Olympics, first I need to participate in many international competitions to improve my rankings in the coming three years. But to participate in international competitions, I need financial support, and currently it is beyond my family’s means. All I can do is to work hard and become India’s best fencer.”
Had it not been Bhavani Devi in the semifinal, Shruti could well have entered the finals. “This was the second time I played Bhavani. Last month at the Kannur nationals, she outclassed me because I was very nervous to face India’s first Olympian fencer. Today, I played confidently and was able to score a handful of points. She defeated me with her vast experience. If I work hard, I will surely beat her,” Shruti told TOI.
Shruti’s love for fencing began through her cousin who used to play the sport at Jaripatka. “My uncle’s son used to go fencing, and when I saw players with unique clothing and a sword in hand, I immediately loved the sport. Soon I started playing, and within a couple of years, I played a pivotal role in winning the State team gold medal,” Shruti said.
She added, “My first coach was Ankeet Gajbhiye. He and members of Nagpur Fencing Association helped me in various ways. After 4-5 years, I was inducted at Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Kerala, where I am currently trained by Sagar Lagu and Arun Rajkumar.”
In her first bout, Shruti outplayed Haryana’s Manju 15-2 before getting the better of Shreya from Jammu and Kashmir 15-10. In the quarterfinals, Shruti defeated Chhattisgarh’s Vedika Khushi 15-10 to confirm Nagpur’s first National Games’ fencing medal by qualifying for the last four stage, where she went down fighting against Bhavani.
