Bhubaneswar: In a historic victory for Indian para-athletics, Odisha para-fencer V Ramesh Rao clinched the gold medal in the Men’s Individual Foil event at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos, Nigeria.
Delivering a commanding performance throughout the international tournament, Rao secured the top spot on the podium to bring tremendous laurels to both his home state and the nation.
Hailing from Chhatrapur in the Ganjam district of Odisha, the news of his triumph ignited widespread celebrations across his hometown, where family members, local residents, and avid sports enthusiasts gathered to honour his remarkable accomplishment.
His triumph marks a monumental milestone for Indian para-fencing, showcasing the rising prowess of the country’s adaptive sports athletes on global platforms.
Beyond the immediate glory of his medal, Rao’s success is being widely praised as a powerful catalyst for grassroots sports in eastern India, offering a source of deep inspiration for young sportspersons across Odisha and proving that athletes from the state possess the potential to excel on the highest international stages.