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Tag: Fencing

Idongesit Siblings’ List Gains from Fencing World Cup in Egypt

Fola Badmus03 mins

It was a mixed bag of fortunes for Nigerian siblings Sarah and Mahathir Idongesit at the FIE Junior World Cup in Cairo, Egypt, as the youngsters sought valuable exposure ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Championships. Sarah, competing in the women’s epee, impressed in her debut outing by advancing from a group of seven fencers in Pool 4. However, her progress was halted in the knockout round following a defeat to Russia’s Viktoria Ramenskova. Mahathir, meanwhile, faced a tougher challenge and was unable to progress beyond the group stage, having been drawn against some of the finest young fencers in the world. Despite the results, the siblings described their participation as a crucial learning experience. “Competing in Egypt has added more knowledge to me, especially going up against some of the best fencers in the world. This is a rare opportunity I truly cherish, and I hope to attend more tournaments ahead of the Commonwealth Championships in Nigeria later this year,” Sarah said. For Mahathir, the tournament was equally valuable: “I had no expectations for this competition, and that took away the pressure. I aimed to improve and gain experience, which I hope to build on before the Commonwealth Championships later in the year,” he explained. The two‑day FIE‑sanctioned event featured participants from over 30 countries, underscoring its competitive depth. Meanwhile, Nigerian fencing coach Bola Suru, supported by the International Fencing Federation (FIE), was part of the technical crew in Cairo. She contributed to the three‑day FIE training camp that preceded the tournament, designed to support athletes during this critical phase of preparation ahead of the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. According to Suru, the camp—made possible through Olympic Solidarity—offered valuable exposure and learning opportunities, further strengthening Nigeria’s pathway in international fencing.  

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Idongesit Siblings Begin 2026 With Fencing Junior World Cup in Egypt

Fola Badmus03 mins

As two of Africa’s most active fencers in 2025, the Idongesit siblings, Sara and Mahathir, will open their 2026 season at the FIE Junior World Cup taking place in Cairo, Egypt, from January 30 to 31. Their participation highlights the progress of youth fencing in Nigeria and underscores the continued efforts of the Nigeria Fencing Federation to identify, nurture, and promote young talent internationally. Sara and Mahathir have demonstrated remarkable commitment, discipline, and growth in their fencing journey, earning the opportunity to compete at this prestigious event against some of the world’s best, including World No. 1 junior men’s fencer Schembri Kruz of the Virgin Islands. The Nigerian two-athlete contingent will depart on Sunday, January 25, and are expected to join the FIE-organised training camp under the supervision of top coaches at the Indoor Hall of Cairo Stadium. Sara will compete in the women’s junior category, while Mahathir faces stiff competition in the men’s event against elite opponents such as Kruz, World No. 5 Chen Bing-Jyun of Chinese Taipei, World No. 3 Pelle Domonkos of Hungary, and Africa’s No. 1 Shamel Youssef of Egypt, who is also ranked World No. 6. Based in Malaysia, the Idongesit siblings made their international debut for Nigeria at the 2025 African Championships in Lagos. Since then, they have featured in several international tournaments, gaining valuable experience ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Championships, scheduled to take place in Lagos this August. Over 30 countries will participate in the two-day FIE-sanctioned tournament, including Egypt (host), Algeria, Russia, Angola, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Spain, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Mexico, Mauritius, Nigeria, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Panama, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Switzerland, Slovakia, Chinese Taipei, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States.

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Idongesit Brothers Set for Fencing Junior World Cup in Uzbekistan

Wale busari02 mins

Nigeria’s rising fencing stars, Mahadi and Mahathir Idongesit, are set to compete among 60 athletes at this weekend’s International Fencing Federation (FIE) Junior Epee World Cup in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The tournament, initially scheduled to take place in Lagos, was moved to Uzbekistan after the Nigeria Fencing Federation decided to focus its resources on hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Championships. The Idongesit brothers, who made their international debut at the 2025 African Championships in Lagos, are eager to test themselves against some of the world’s top competitors. Mahadi is currently ranked 595th globally, while Mahathir holds the 608th spot. They will face strong opponents, including Egyptian stars Youssef Shamel (world No. 4) and Eslam Osama (world No. 8). Fencers from Azerbaijan, Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Chinese Taipei, and host nation Uzbekistan will also participate in the event. Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, expressed optimism about the brothers’ participation: “We are excited that our fencers are back in action after months of inactivity, especially with the return of international tournaments. This experience will be invaluable as they prepare for the Commonwealth Championships in 2026. We hope more of our fencers take part in high-level competitions to measure themselves against the best in the Commonwealth.”

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FIE, Nigeria Fencing Federation to Partner with UNICEF on Youth Development Initiative

Fola Badmus64 mins

In a landmark effort to promote youth empowerment and social inclusion through sport, the Nigerian Fencing Federation (NFF), with the support of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), is exploring a strategic partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative aims to leverage fencing as a transformative tool for child development, education, peacebuilding, and sustainable growth across Nigeria and potentially the African continent. The high-level meeting took place at UNICEF Nigeria’s headquarters in Lagos during the recently concluded 23rd African Fencing Championships. Attending the meeting were FIE Secretary-General Gulnora Saidova, African Fencing Confederation President Mbagnick Ndiaye, and NFF President Adeyinka Samuel, who met with senior representatives of UNICEF Nigeria to discuss a collaborative framework for the initiative. UNICEF Nigeria was represented by Ronak Khan, Deputy Representative (Programmes); Kundra Bharat, Skill Development and Youth Empowerment Specialist; and Emmanuel Bamidele, Youth Engagement and Partnership Officer. Also present were Novak Perovic, FIE Vice President and African Confederation Vice President; Obinna Anyanwu, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Executive Committee Member; and Rachael Samuel, Vice President of the Nigerian Fencing Federation. During the meeting, NFF President Adeyinka Samuel shared the federation’s vision to use fencing as a catalyst for social change and youth development. The discussions highlighted the vast potential of the partnership to positively impact communities across Nigeria and Africa. FIE Secretary-General Gulnora Saidova remarked: “At the FIE, we are committed to developing fencing globally—not only as a sport but as a platform for social and cultural development. We are thrilled about the opportunities discussed with UNICEF Nigeria and deeply value the potential of this collaboration to enhance lives across Africa and beyond.” Samuel added, “This partnership is a major step toward using fencing to empower and uplift young people across Nigeria. We are proud to scale our grassroots efforts into a national movement for education, inclusion, and opportunity through sport.” UNICEF Nigeria expressed strong interest in the proposal, noting its alignment with their core objectives, including child protection, youth engagement, skill development, and peacebuilding through sport. The organization confirmed its capacity for nationwide implementation through existing youth programs and structures. If finalized, this would mark UNICEF Nigeria’s first sports-based development initiative. The proposed collaboration is poised to become a landmark program for youth and fencing development in Africa, with all parties committed to building a scalable, impactful model for long-term success.

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23rd African Fencing Championships Fallout: Akinyosoye Emerges as Nigeria’s Highest-Ranked Fencer

Fola Badmus04 mins

Following a standout performance at the 23rd African Fencing Championships, Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye has emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked fencer globally. The latest rankings released by the International Fencing Federation (FIE) earlier this week place Akinyosoye at 65th in the men’s senior sabre category. Akinyosoye, a quarterfinalist in the individual men’s sabre event, stunned spectators by defeating top seed and Olympic silver medallist Fares Farjani of Tunisia in a tense preliminary round bout, edging him 5-4 at Charterhouse Lagos. The 20-year-old UK-based athlete, who previously represented England at cadet and junior levels, has now overtaken Inkosi Brou as Nigeria’s top-ranked fencer. Despite being displaced in the senior rankings, Brou remains Nigeria’s highest-ranked junior fencer, holding the 23rd position globally. The US-based athlete, and grandson of former NAFDAC DG Prof. Dora Akunyili, continues to be a key figure in Nigeria’s fencing development. In the senior men’s epee category, Mahadi Idongesit leads the Nigerian contingent at 206th, followed by Wisdom Okanlawon (209), Mahathir Idongesit (212), and Adegbola Babade (215). For senior men’s foil, Oritsematosan Egbesemirone is ranked 116th, with Olumuyiwa Ige (502) and Alex Aninyei (504) also making the list. Among the women, 13-year-old Peluola Akinbamiro is Nigeria’s sole representative in the senior women’s foil rankings, placed at 441st. In senior women’s epee, Adebodunrin Thomas leads at 186th, followed by Sara Idongesit (190) and Somtochukwu Eribenne (530). Team rankings also saw a boost. The Nigerian women’s epee team, which finished fifth at the African Championships, is now ranked 36th globally. In the senior men’s team rankings, Nigeria holds 43rd in epee and 28th in foil. President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, described the rankings as a reflection of the country’s growing potential in the sport. “Hosting the African Championships was not just about welcoming international athletes; it was about empowering our fencers to improve their global standing,” Samuel said. “These rankings open doors for our athletes to participate in more international tournaments and enhance their chances of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.” He added, “We are excited about this development and hope it will attract the support needed from both the private and public sectors, especially following the success of the 23rd African Championships.”

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My Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Dream Is Still on Track, Says Inkosi Brou

Fola Badmus04 mins

Despite exiting in the knockout stage of the individual men’s sabre event at the 23rd African Fencing Championships, Nigeria’s fencing sensation Inkosi Brou remains confident that his dream of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games is still alive. Brou, Nigeria’s highest-ranked fencer at both junior and senior levels, showcased his talent at the continental tournament, which concluded over the weekend in Lagos. He advanced from the group stage, competing against a field of seasoned athletes. In the preliminary round, Brou defeated Guinea’s Conte Aboubacar 5-0 in his opening bout and overcame Algeria’s Akram Bounabi 5-3. He then lost 0-5 to Egypt’s Ziad Elsissy, bounced back with a 5-1 win over Niger Republic’s Ali Djibo, and concluded the group stage with a 0-5 loss to African champion Ahmed Ferjani of Tunisia. Despite the mixed results, Brou finished among the top three in his group of six, securing a spot in the knockout stage. In the first-round bout, Brou took an early lead against fifth seed Evann Girault of Niger Republic. However, a tactical error allowed his opponent to stage a comeback and win the closely contested match 15-11. Though disappointed with the outcome, the bronze medallist at the 2025 African Junior Championships remains undeterred in his Olympic pursuit. “I believe my 2028 Olympic dream is still intact. It’s a step-by-step journey, and I just need to stay consistent,” he said. Brou, the grandson of the late NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Dora Akunyili, described the recently concluded African Fencing Championships in Lagos as a positive development for the sport. He expressed hope that more events would be organized to raise awareness and participation among young Nigerians. “Hosting the continental tournament means a lot for fencing. It was well-organized and proved that Nigeria is capable of hosting more international fencing events,” he added. Acknowledging the challenges of competing in multiple international events, Brou—who made history as the first Nigerian fencer to win a medal at an international tournament—said: “Travelling and competing at this level is tough, especially with my Olympic aspirations. But with the support of my parents and coaches, I’m managing well. Hopefully, it will all pay off with a ticket to the 2028 Olympics.” He also acknowledged the enduring legacy of his grandmother: “Yes, my grandmother’s influence has opened doors for me. What she achieved continues to inspire and guide us. We’re trying to follow the path she laid down.”

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Egypt Sweeps Individual Gold Medals at 23rd African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus03 mins

Egypt continued its dominance at the 23rd African Fencing Championships, claiming five of the six individual gold medals on offer at the event held at Charterhouse, Lagos, Nigeria. The only interruption to Egypt’s clean sweep came from Kenya’s Alexandra Ndolo, who delivered a commanding performance to defeat Egypt’s Shirwit Gaber 15-8 in the final of the women’s épée. On Friday, June 27, Egypt added two more titles to its tally, with Abdelrahman Tolba and Alanoud Hegazy capturing gold in the men’s foil and women’s sabre events, respectively. These victories followed three earlier gold medals secured by the Egyptian team on the first two days of the championships. Tolba, who had previously won bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024, completed his ascent to the top of the podium with a 15-10 win over defending champion Mohamed Hamza in the men’s foil final. He had earlier cruised past Cape Verde’s Victor Alvares 15-4 in the semifinal. Reflecting on his journey, Tolba said: “It feels great to finally win gold. This shows that hard work pays off—starting with bronze in 2023, then silver in 2024, and now gold. I’m so happy, though it wasn’t easy facing my teammate in the final.” In the women’s sabre, Hegazy claimed her first continental title with a 15-8 victory over 2024 bronze medallist Nada Hafez. Her path to the final included a 15-10 quarterfinal win over defending champion Lorina Essomba of Cameroon and a 15-9 semifinal triumph against Algeria’s Chaima Benadouda. “I feel great and proud to win my first continental title at any level,” Hegazy said. “This is a big moment for me, and I hope to keep performing well in major competitions like this.” The team events, which begin on Saturday, June 28 to 29, with all eyes on the Egyptian side as the defending champions.

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Akinyosoye Stuns Top Seed as Brou Misses Podium Finish at 23rd African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus04 mins

Nigeria’s Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye delivered one of the standout performances of the 23rd African Fencing Championships, pulling off a major upset in the individual men’s sabre event by defeating top seed and Olympic silver medallist Fares Farjani of Tunisia in the preliminary round. The 20-year-old, who recently switched allegiance to Nigeria after representing England at cadet and junior levels, edged Farjani 5-4 in a tense bout that sent shockwaves through the competition and sparked jubilant celebrations among Nigerian supporters. His victory over the Paris 2024 silver medallist not only marked a personal milestone but also secured his place in the knockout stages. Akinyosoye carried his momentum into the round of 16, where he dispatched Algeria’s Lotfi Ibrihen with a commanding 15-9 win. However, his impressive run came to an end in the quarterfinals, where he fell 15-8 to sixth seed Ahmed Ferjani of Tunisia. Despite the loss, Akinyosoye’s spirited display earned widespread applause and signaled a promising future for the young fencer on the continental stage. Meanwhile, fellow Nigerian Inkosi Brou, a bronze medalist at the African Junior Championships and grandson of the late NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Dora Akunyili, narrowly missed out on a podium finish. Brou showcased his skill and composure through the early rounds but was edged out 15-11 by Niger Republic’s fifth seed Evann Girault in the round of 16. In a surprising twist, defending champion Fares Ferjani also exited the competition early, losing 15-13 to Egypt’s Adham Moataz in the round of 16, further opening up the field in the men’s sabre event. In the individual women’s epee event, Nigeria’s Sarah Idongesit and Adebodunrin, two of the youngest competitors in the field, advanced from the group stage into the knockout rounds. Both fencers were eventually eliminated in the round of 32 by more experienced opponents from Morocco and Algeria, but their progression highlighted the growing depth of Nigeria’s fencing talent. The championships continue on Friday, June 27, with action in the individual men’s foil and women’s sabre events. With several young Nigerian athletes already making headlines, expectations remain high for more breakout performances as the tournament progresses.

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