Nagpur: A month after she became Nagpur’s first fencer to represent India in the World Championships, Shruti Joshi scaled a new high in Lagos, Nigeria, on Wednesday.The 23-year-old Itwari girl secured a team gold in the women’s sabre event two days after she secured individual bronze for her maiden international medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships.In the title clash of the women’s team event, the four-member Indian squad comprising Shruti, JS Jefarlin, Aakhri and Shreya Gupta outplayed England 45-35. With this women’s sabre team triumph, Indian fencers clinched their 17th gold medal on the fourth day of the championships played in the senior and U-23 age categories. Overall, India leads the table with 45 medals, including 17 gold, 14 silver and as many bronze.In a chat with TOI from Lagos, Shruti said, “I am very happy to win my first international medal. Winning these Commonwealth medals is an incredibly proud and emotional moment for me. My journey has been filled with hard work, sacrifices, challenges, and many moments when I had to keep believing in myself.”
Shruti Joshi after winning a gold and bronze medal in the Commonwealth Fencing Championships at Lagos on Wednesday
Shruti, who learnt the basics of fencing at Mankapur Stadium under the guidance of Ankit Gajbhiye, won her first National Games medal in February this year in Uttarakhand. After winning that national bronze medal, daughter of private car driver Dharmendra Joshi and mother Saroj, a homemaker, Shruti was inducted in the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) centre in Kerala. She now practises under Sagar Lagu.Shruti added, “Coming from Nagpur and travelling far from home to pursue fencing, I have learnt that success never comes easily. The support and sacrifices of my family, coaches, teammates, and everyone who believed in me have played a huge role in this achievement. Both these medals are not just a piece of metal for me—it represents years of dedication, sleepless nights, tough training, and the dream I have carried in my heart for so long. I feel grateful, proud, and motivated to work even harder for the bigger goals ahead.”Mohammad Shoeb, secretary of Nagpur Fencing Association, said, “Shruti’s twin success including a gold is a proud moment for Nagpur. She comes from a very humble background; we all have seen her progress. After she won her first national medal earlier this year, Shruti gained the much-needed confidence and went on clinch maiden international medal. She will win many more medals for India.”
