Fencing is like mental chess: Indian sabre star Shreya Gupta

Shreya Gupta is still in her initial stages of her senior career, but the Sabre fencer already has set her sights on representing the country at the Olympics.

She is pursuing a Master's degree in Psychology simultaneously and feels it gives her an edge in her matches.

The 21-year-old from Jammu calls defeating a Chinese fencer and senior World Championships medallist 5-4 in the initial rounds as a breakthrough moment of her growing career.

The Asian Fencing Championship also gave her a special moment as her parents cheered for her for the first time at a major home event.

Edited excerpts:

Having your parents in the stands during the Asian Fencing Championship, did it add pressure or make things easier?

Honestly, when I'm fencing, I’m completely focused on the piste, so it doesn't really matter during the bout. But it was definitely a proud moment to have my parents watching me compete.

Talk us through your bouts. What worked for you until the Round of 32, and what didn't?

In the pool stage, I fenced against a Chinese fencer who has won a senior World Championship medal, and I beat her 5-4. It was a great match because I was able to apply what I had learned in training.

I lost in the round of 32 to an Uzbekistan fencer. It was still a great experience because I got to fence one of the top fencers. I want to perform even better in the next tournament and win a medal for India.

Overall, I won three bouts and lost three bouts in the pools, so it was a valuable learning experience.

How did you get into the sport?

I started fencing in 2013. Before that, I used to practice taekwondo, while my brother was a fencer.

One day I went to watch him train, and fencing looked like such a royal sport that I was instantly attracted to it. Since then, I've won medals across the sub-junior, cadet, junior and senior categories. It's been a great journey.

As someone transitioning from the junior to the senior circuit, what did it mean to compete at home?

The transition is quite difficult. In the senior circuit, you compete against Olympic champions and some of the best fencers in the world.

Having the Asian Championships in India definitely gave us more confidence.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I am currently pursuing a Master's in Psychology. My goal is to qualify for the Olympics and win a medal. Alongside fencing, I am pursuing sports psychology.

Fencing is like physical chess. It is a mental sport, and the psychological aspect matters a lot. I want to help other fencers improve their mental game.

Since you're studying sports psychology, how do you train your mind for high-pressure matches?

I am currently training at Vijayi Bharat Academy, where we have psychologists as well as an integrative department. We learn how to meditate, how to visualise, and how to improve our reactions. Personally, I work on meditation. Before every match, we focus on our breathing to stay calm and composed.

How was your journey from Jammu to Ahmedabad?

I was enrolled in the Khelo India programme in 2018. I could have shifted to any training centre then, but my parents wanted me to complete my Class 12 first and do well in my studies.

I scored well in my Class 12 examinations and then moved to Ahmedabad because there were a lot of foreign coaches there. I shifted there in 2022. Before that, from 2013 to 2021, I trained only in Jammu.

How do you balance studies and fencing?

I always feel that you have a lot of time outside training. Instead of spending it on social media, you can read something. It's not compulsory. I do it because I enjoy it.

Right now, I'm studying psychology. I don't feel any pressure to study, but it refreshes my mind. I can see the difference. It helps me stay focused and improves my concentration.