Nigeria shines at Commonwealth Fencing Championships

Nigeria made history on Tuesday at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships, which took place at Rugby School Nigeria in Atlantic City, Lagos. The country won nine medals, seven bronzes and two silvers, and made history by securing Africa’s first international medal in wheelchair fencing.

This was the first time an international wheelchair fencing event was held in Africa, and Nigeria led the charge.

In the women’s epee category A, Itunu Kumuyi and Joy Iorguma both earned bronze medals after reaching the semifinals but lost to their opponents from India.

The pair also secured two more bronze medals in the women’s foil wheelchair event. In category B, Joyce Otun and Abiola Rahamon also took home bronze medals, which highlights Nigeria’s progress in para-fencing. Chidinma Dennis added to the medal count with a silver medal after losing to India’s Sheranthi Thomas in the final.

India showed strong performance in the women’s wheelchair category. Malti Panaure and Rekha Rekha won gold and silver respectively, giving India its sixth gold medal in the wheelchair events and showing their strength in the competition.

Tonye Sawari, the Programme Director of Wheelchair Fencing in the Nigeria Fencing Federation, praised the achievement as historic. He said, “You cannot imagine that we started training just three months ago, yet our athletes quickly became competitive against countries with years of international experience.”

He added, “This is a remarkable beginning, and we hope to build on this success to raise the profile of wheelchair fencing in Nigeria. I am proud of our athletes for making their presence felt in this tournament and commend them for their spirited display.”

Nigeria also had success in the men’s senior sabre, where Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye won his first international medal. Akinyosoye, ranked as Nigeria’s top competitor, moved from pool 2 into the knockout rounds. He defeated England’s Charles Gellett 15, 6 in the round of 16 and then overcame India’s Bebit Bright 15, 12 in the quarter-finals.

Despite getting injured early in the match, he fought hard in the semifinal but lost 15, 10 to Australia’s Yoongi Shim, finishing with a bronze medal.

With nine medals won and a significant milestone reached, Nigeria’s performance at the championships not only raised the country’s status in fencing but also set a strong example for the growth of both able-bodied and para-fencing throughout Africa.