Jammu, September 14, 2026: In a significant achievement for fencing in Jammu and Kashmir, athletes Shriya Gupta and Vishal Thapar have been selected to represent India at the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, scheduled to be held in Japan.
The selection marks a historic milestone as Shriya and Vishal become the first Sabre fencers from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify for the Asian Games.
Shriya Gupta will compete in the Women’s Sabre Individual and Team events, while Vishal Thapar will be part of the Men’s Sabre Team event.
Ahead of their journey to Japan, Tazayun Mukhtar Kawos, JKAS, Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, met both fencers and extended her best wishes for the upcoming competition.
Mukhtar said their selection was a matter of pride for the entire Union Territory and praised the athletes for their dedication, discipline and years of hard work.
She said the achievement of becoming the first Sabre fencers from J&K to reach the Asian Games was a major milestone and expressed confidence that both athletes would perform well on the international stage.
The J&K Sports Council also extended its best wishes to Shriya and Vishal, hoping they will give their best and make Jammu and Kashmir proud at the Asian Games.
