Fencer Vaibhavi Ingle, from Dharavi, out to prove a point at senior nationals

Mumbai fencer Vaibhavi Ingle

Dharavi girl Vaibhavi Ingle, 17, had to miss nine months of her fencing practice because of COVID-19. However, she managed to win a silver medal in the foil event at the recently-concluded Senior Fencing State Championships in Nanded. Ingle, who had 11 national and 20 state level medals at the junior level to her credit, aims to win her maiden medal at the ongoing Senior National Championships at Rudrapur in Uttarakhand.

"I practised very hard at the Mumbai Fencing Association [MFA] academy, [at Shivaji Park, Dadar] on both aspects - fitness as well as weapon training. I want to be in the first three at Uttarakhand and aim to beat Manipur girl Anita to whom I lost a bronze last year," Ingle told mid-day.com before leaving for Rudrapur on Friday.

Recalling her days during lockdown, Ingle said: "That was a real frustrating and scary phase for all of us in Dharavi as Coronavirus cases were increasing day by day. No one could move anywhere and hence it affected my training."

Ingle, who lost her father [Mallinath] due to throat cancer when she was just three, has one more reason to target a podium finish in the nationals.

"I want to win my first medal at the senior nationals for my mother [Vimal] and maternal grandfather [Sidram Narayankar], who looked after my every need and encouraged me to excel," remarked Ingle.

Mumbai's Vaibhavi Ingle (left) tackles Vaidahi Lohia from Aurangabad during the Senior Fencing State Championships final in Nanded last week.

MFA coach Anand Waghmare is thrilled over his ward's recent performance and is expecting her to shine at the nationals.

"Vaibhavi had only a couple of months practice, but she performed well to grab silver in the senior category of the state championships apart from a gold in the junior category. Though she is just 17, and she had a long break because of the lockdown. She is focused and competent for the gold medal at the senior nationals," remarked Waghmare.