Hyderabad, November 4, 2025: In a proud moment for Telangana and South India, Samiksha Gariney from Hyderabad clinched the Gold Medal at the just-concluded 7th ISSO Fencing Championship, held at Amity Global School, Gurgaon. The International Schools Sports Organization (ISSO) Nationals bring together the best young athletes from international schools across India to compete in various sports, including fencing, swimming, basketball, and football.
Samiksha’s victory is a major milestone for Deccan Fencing Academy – Hyderabad, Oakridge International School – Hyderabad, and the Telangana Fencing Academy (TFA), which is recognized by the Fencing Association of India (FAI). Her achievement reflects the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved in nurturing fencing talent in the state.
Coach Mr. Sanjeev from Deccan Fencing Academy played a pivotal role in guiding and training Samiksha, while the Representatives of Telangana Fencing Academy, provided continuous motivation and support to young athletes across Telangana. Samiksha’s parents, Varun and Sridevi Gariney, followed a strict training schedule laid out by Deccan Fencing Academy following guidelines from TFA, helping her turn her dream into a golden reality.
Adding to Telangana’s glory, four other fencers from Deccan Fencing Academy also brought home Silver Medals in their respective categories — Dhaiwik Reddy (Oakridge International School), Juvvadi Aanika (International School of Hyderabad), Juvvadi Pratham (International School of Hyderabad), and Aribindi Shruthi (Indus International School Hyderabad).
This collective success carries special significance for South India, where fencing is still developing compared to North India’s more established infrastructure and institutional backing. Yet, through the passion and perseverance of academies, coaches, and young athletes, Telangana is quickly emerging as a promising hub for fencing.
The triumph of Samiksha and her peers is a powerful example of how vision, discipline, and teamwork can overcome challenges — and a true reflection of the spirit of “Telangana Rising.”
