Fencing Week for J&K: Two Picked for the Asian U-23 Championships, While Jammu Hosts School Nationals

Bahrain, October 27 to November 2

The J&K Sports Council has congratulated fencers Mayank Sharma and Shivaansh Kapoor on their selection to represent India at the Asian U-23 Fencing Championships 2026 in Manama, Bahrain, from 27 October to 2 November. Sharma will compete in sabre and Kapoor in epee. Council Secretary Tazayun Mukhtar said their performances would inspire a new generation of fencers. The statement does not give their hometowns, coaches or earlier results.

The school-level pipeline, in Jammu

At the other end of the ladder, J&K is hosting the 70th National School Games from 15 to 27 October. The Department of Youth Services and Sports says there are nine events across four disciplines: Wushu and Taekwondo (both under-17) at the Government College of Physical Education in Ganderbal, and fencing (under-17 and under-19) and cricket (under-17) in the Jammu region. More than 1,000 athletes and officials are expected. The competitions run under the School Games Federation of India. The report does not name the Jammu venues, so check with the department before heading out to watch.

Why the two stories belong together

Fencing has been visible in Jammu this autumn: JammuBeat reported earlier on a national championship at the University of Jammu's Gymnasium Hall. A school-age bracket on home soil and two continental selections in the same fortnight suggest the sport has a growing base here.

Photo: file photo of a fencing event, courtesy Daily Excelsior.

Sources: Greater Kashmir, 14 October; Greater Kashmir, 15 October.