Jammu, August 31, 2026-Shreya Gupta started fencing at just eight years old. Today, she has made history as the first female fencer from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify for the Asian Games, a proud moment for the Union Territory and an inspiration for young athletes across the region.
A 13-Year Journey of Hard Work
Gupta will represent India at the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, across Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya in Japan. She has been selected for both the individual and team events in Women’s Sabre, alongside fellow J&K fencer Vishal Thapar, who will compete in the team event — marking the first time two sabre fencers from Jammu and Kashmir have earned selection for the continental Games.
Reflecting on her journey, Gupta said, “Consistency with a blend of hard work is the key to success.” She added, “A journey of 13 long years in fencing has enriched my experience. Despite various odds and challenges, I overcame them by devoting myself to the game with a focus on making the nation and my parents proud.”
From Taekwondo to Fencing
Born to architect Sanjay Gupta and homemaker Rashmi Mahajan, Gupta began her sporting journey as a Taekwondo player before switching to fencing, inspired by her elder brother, who was himself a fencer at the time. At the age of eight, her parents took her to Jammu’s Maulana Azad Stadium to encourage her toward sport, without knowing that their daughter would go on to make history for the region.
Gupta joined the High Performance programme in fencing at the Vijayi Bharat Foundation in Gujarat in 2022 to further hone her skills under the guidance of world-class coaches. “There are no shortcuts in life, and undoubtedly hard work is the only key to accomplish dreams,” she said of her training journey.
A Strong Competitive Record
Gupta’s qualification for the Asian Games comes on the back of a string of strong performances at the national and international level. Earlier this year, she and Vishal Thapar secured places in the Indian team for the Asian Fencing Championships 2026 after finishing second overall at the final selection trials held at NIS Patiala, with Gupta finishing runner-up in the Women’s Sabre category behind Olympian Bhavani Devi.
She holds the title of both Senior and Junior National Champion, and has won 17 gold, 11 silver, and 7 bronze medals at the national level to date. Internationally, Gupta has claimed multiple medals at the Commonwealth Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships and an individual bronze at the Asian Fencing Championship, having competed in around 15 prestigious international tournaments over the course of her career.
Celebrations Across Jammu and Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council extended its congratulations to Gupta and Thapar, describing their selection as a reflection of exceptional talent, hard work, discipline, and determination, while also acknowledging the contribution of their coaches and support teams. “Go forth and make history,” the Sports Council said in a statement wishing the duo success at the Games.
An Inspiration for Young Athletes
Gupta’s achievement has been widely celebrated as a landmark moment for sports in Jammu and Kashmir, with officials and sporting bodies describing it as proof of the region’s growing sporting talent and the impact of sustained institutional support for athletes. Her journey — from a young girl introduced to sport at a local stadium in Jammu to a national champion representing India on the Asian stage — is expected to inspire a new generation of young athletes across the Union Territory to pursue their sporting ambitions with confidence.