Fencing Championships Archives

Brou, Okanlawon Set to Represent Nigeria at 2025 World Fencing Championships in Georgia

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Nigeria’s rising fencing stars, Inkosi Brou and Wisdom Okanlawon, are set to compete at the prestigious 2025 World Fencing Championships, scheduled to take place in Tbilisi, Georgia, from July 22 to 30. In addition to competing against the world’s best, both athletes have been selected to participate in the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Training Camp, which will precede the championships. The camp, running from July 16 to 21 at the Tbilisi Olympic Palace, will feature elite coaching and international collaboration, offering a unique opportunity for skill development and global exposure. Brou and Okanlawon made their international debut earlier this year at the World Junior Championships in China. Now, they are set to make their senior world championship debut in Georgia. Inkosi Brou, who reached the knockout stage at the recently concluded 23rd African Fencing Championships in Lagos, will undergo a training tour in France before heading to Georgia. Ranked 75th in the world, the teenage sabreur will compete in the Men’s Individual Sabre event. Wisdom Okanlawon, widely regarded as Nigeria’s top homegrown fencer, will also make his first appearance at the global level. He is expected to depart Nigeria this week to join the training camp and will compete in the Men’s Individual Épée event. His participation is aimed at improving his international ranking and gaining valuable experience from top-tier fencers. The World Fencing Championships will feature individual and team events across all three weapons—foil, épée, and sabre—for both men and women. According to the FIE, the training camp will be led by world-renowned coaches including Zoran Tulum (sabre), Kuki Patru (foil), and Bela Kopetka (épée). Over 50 fencers from around the world are expected to attend, making it a dynamic environment for learning, competition preparation, and international camaraderie. In a statement, the FIE noted, “The camp will offer fencers the chance to train with peers from around the world, participate in group sessions, and elevate their game through video analysis, tactical workshops, and fun team-building activities.” This marks a significant milestone for Nigerian fencing, as the country continues to gain recognition on the global stage through the efforts of its young athletes and the support of international partnerships.

El-Sayed Retains Title as Amr Clinches First Continental Gold of African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Defending champion Mohamed El-Sayed successfully retained his title in the Men’s Individual Épée event at the 23rd African Fencing Championships, while compatriot Sara Amr celebrated her maiden continental triumph in the Women’s Individual Foil on Wednesday, June 25, at Charterhouse Lagos. World No. 1 El-Sayed edged fellow Egyptian Mahmoud Had Mohsen in a tightly contested final, winning 11–10 to become the first gold medallist of the tournament. El-Sayed cruised through the early rounds with dominant performances, but faced a stern test in the semifinals, where he narrowly defeated his brother, Mahmoud El-Sayed, 15–14 in a thrilling bout. In the women’s foil category, second seed Sara Amr captured her first African title with a commanding 15–8 victory over Côte d’Ivoire’s Isabel Esteban in the final. Amr had earlier overcome her compatriot and 2024 bronze medallist, Noha Hany, 15–13 in the semifinals. Esteban, who caused a major upset by defeating top seed Malak Hamza of Egypt 15–8 in the other semifinal, settled for silver after falling short against Amr in the final. Speaking after her victory, a jubilant Amr said she remained composed throughout the competition despite facing tough opponents. “I focused on staying calm and managing each match one at a time. It wasn’t easy, but I’m proud of how I handled the pressure,” she said.

Team Nigeria Unveils Squad for 23rd African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Fencing Federation has announced a 12-member squad for the 23rd African Fencing Championships, scheduled to take place at Charterhouse Lagos from June 25 to 29, 2025. This marks only the third time the continental tournament will be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa, following previous editions in Senegal (2002) and Mali (2009, 2019). Leading the Nigerian team is U.S.-based Inkosi Brou, the first Nigerian fencer to win a medal at an international event. Brou, who recently clinched bronze at the 2025 African Junior Championships in Angola, brings valuable experience to the squad despite being just 17 years old. He has competed in several international tournaments this year as part of his journey toward qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Notably, he is the grandson of the late NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Dora Akunyili. Joining Brou is UK-based Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye, alongside homegrown talent including Wisdom Okanlawon; siblings Mahatir and Mahadi Idongesit, Olumuyiwa Ige, Oritsematosan Egbesemirone, Alex Chizim Aninyei, and Babade Adegbola. The women’s squad features Peluola Akinbamiro, Somto Eribenne, Sara Idongesit, and Adebodunrin Thomas. Team Nigeria will compete in both individual and team events across the three fencing disciplines: foil, epee, and sabre. National coach Ibrahim Alogba expressed confidence in the youthful team, noting their potential to surprise more experienced opponents. “Our team is the youngest in terms of age and experience, which reduces the pressure on them. This could work in our favor. We may be young, but we are not intimidated by records or reputations. We are ready to break Nigeria’s medal drought in this tournament,” he said. Italian coach Riccardo Bardin, who has been training the team since his arrival a week ago, also praised the athletes’ potential but urged patience as they continue to develop. In addition to host nation Nigeria, other participating countries include Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Senegal, Mauritius, Angola, Rwanda, Niger, South Africa, Guinea, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Cape Verde. The tournament will feature 12 events made up of six individual and six team events in foil, epee, and sabre.

Nigeria Poised to End Medal Drought at African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

As Nigeria prepares to host the 23rd African Fencing Championships from June 25 to 29 at Charterhouse Lagos, the Nigeria Fencing Federation is confident that the nation is ready to end its long-standing medal drought at the continental event. With a promising lineup of athletes, the Federation believes this year’s tournament could mark a turning point for Nigerian fencing. According to Federation President Adeyinka Samuel, the sport is experiencing a resurgence, driven by a new generation of talented fencers who have gained valuable experience at international competitions. “On a personal note, as a former athlete, I vividly remember competing at the Senior African Championships in Morocco in 2008, where I narrowly missed a medal,” Samuel said. “To now host this very event as President is the culmination of years of sacrifice, dedication, and a shared vision for Nigerian fencing. This is a gift to our entire fencing community and a legacy moment for our young, aspiring athletes.” While Nigeria has yet to secure a medal at the African Fencing Championships, Samuel expressed strong optimism about the team’s prospects this year. “Our athletes are more prepared than ever before. We’ve invested heavily in coach development, international exposure, and high-performance training camps. With the support of the home crowd, our fencers are mentally and physically ready to make history,” he added. Team Nigeria has brought in an international coach from Italy, held joint training camps with other African nations, and provided targeted support in areas such as nutrition, conditioning, and mental preparation. Samuel emphasized that the goal extends beyond winning medals—it’s about inspiring the next generation of Nigerian fencers. He specifically predicted that Nigeria is on track to win at least two medals, despite the strong competition expected from across the continent. Among the athletes to watch is U.S.-based Peluola Akinbamiro, who will be competing in her first tournament on home soil. The 13-year-old, who participated in the 2025 African and World Junior Championships in Angola and China, expressed confidence in the team’s preparation under the guidance of the Italian coach. “I’m excited to finally compete in Nigeria. We’ve trained hard, and I believe we’re ready to break the medal drought,” Akinbamiro said. Homegrown talent Wisdom Okanlawon also shared his enthusiasm: “It won’t be easy facing some of the best fencers in Africa and the world, but I’m hopeful. This is my first senior tournament, and I believe we can make our presence felt.” Over 200 fencers from more than 26 African countries are expected to compete in 12 events during the five-day tournament. This marks the third time the African Fencing Championships will be hosted in a Sub-Saharan country, following previous editions in Mali (2019) and Senegal (2003 and 2009).

Nigeria Affirms Readiness to Host 23rd African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Nigeria has reaffirmed its readiness to host the 23rd African Fencing Championships, set to take place in Lagos from June 25 to 29, 2025. This marks the fourth time the event will be held in Sub-Saharan Africa, following previous editions in Senegal (2002 and 2009) and Mali (2019). Speaking at a well-attended media conference on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Lagos Fencing Club, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, expressed excitement and pride over the upcoming tournament. “Today marks a truly historic moment for Nigerian sports, and indeed for the entire African continent,” Samuel said. “From June 25 to 29, Lagos will open its doors to Africa’s finest fencing talents as we proudly host the African Fencing Championships. This is more than just a competition—it’s a landmark achievement that places Nigeria among the few Sub-Saharan nations to host this prestigious event.” Samuel highlighted Nigeria’s growing stature in international fencing, noting past successes including the African Junior Championships in 2018 and 2022, and the World Cup in 2024. “Nigeria is fast emerging as a hub for fencing in Africa, and this championship is a testament to our consistent progress and dedication,” he added. The tournament will take place at Charterhouse Lagos, the first British independent school in West Africa. The venue, which successfully hosted Nigeria’s first Fencing World Cup, boasts a legacy rooted in over 400 years of British academic tradition. “To the 26 African countries that have confirmed participation, bringing over 200 athletes, we promise a world-class experience,” Samuel assured. “Expect top-tier hospitality, seamless organization, and the vibrancy of Lagos—a city rich in culture, infrastructure, and sportsmanship. Beyond the competition, we aim to deliver a uniquely Nigerian experience with cultural showcases and a spirit of unity that defines the pan-African ideal.” Angela Hencher, Chief Operating Officer of Charterhouse Lagos, also expressed enthusiasm about the event and the school’s ongoing partnership with Lagos Fencing. “Charterhouse Lagos is proud to host the 2025 Senior African Fencing Championships,” said Hencher. “This collaboration aligns with our mission to provide a transformative education grounded in British excellence, character development, and global citizenship.” She added that fencing reflects the school’s core values—Excellence, Integrity, Courtesy, Service, and Wellbeing. “Fencing demands strategic thinking, self-discipline, and resilience. We are thrilled to open our world-class facilities to the continent’s top athletes and contribute to the elevation of fencing in Nigeria.” Hencher emphasized that the event extends beyond sport. “It aligns with our vision of nurturing proactive global citizens. This championship is not just an event—it’s a celebration of excellence, ambition, and cross-cultural collaboration. We are honoured, excited, and ready to support Nigerian fencing on this incredible journey.”

World No. 1 Heads to Lagos for 23rd African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago14 mins

Twenty-two-year-old world number one Mohamed El-Sayed of Egypt is among the elite fencers set to compete in the 23rd African Fencing Championships, scheduled to take place in Lagos from June 25 to 29. El-Sayed, who recently clinched a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, will be joined by his brother, Mahmoud El-Sayed, the 2025 Junior World Champion. Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the tournament—the third ever to be hosted in sub-Saharan Africa after previous editions in Senegal (2002, 2009) and Mali (2019)—President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, announced that 26 countries and over 200 fencers are expected to participate in this prestigious continental event. “A total of 26 African nations have confirmed their participation, bringing with them more than 200 athletes,” Samuel stated. “We are committed to delivering a world-class experience. Participants can expect exceptional hospitality, professional organization, and a vibrant, secure environment. Lagos offers a unique combination of modern infrastructure, cultural richness, and passionate sportsmanship. Beyond the intense competition, we aim to showcase a memorable Nigerian experience, featuring cultural displays that reflect our diversity and a strong pan-African spirit of unity.” Samuel emphasized the high caliber of athletes set to compete, including Senior World No. 1 and Olympic bronze medalist Mohamed El-Sayed; Junior World No. 1 Mahmoud El-Sayed; 2024 Olympic silver medalist Fares Ferjani; and former World Champion Ndolo Alexandra of Kenya. Nigeria’s own Inkosi Brou, currently ranked 23rd in the world, will also be competing, among many other top-tier fencers. Highlighting the significance of the event, Samuel added: “We are immensely proud to announce that top Executive Committee members from the International Fencing Federation will be attending, marking their first official visit to Africa. Additionally, all executive members of the African Fencing Confederation will be present, underscoring the importance of this championship for the growth and development of fencing across the continent.” The tournament will be hosted at the iconic Charterhouse Lagos—the first British independent school in West Africa—located in the bustling heart of the city. Having previously hosted Nigeria’s first Fencing World Cup, Charterhouse, with its 400-year legacy of British academic excellence, is seen as the ideal venue for the championship, which is sanctioned by the International Fencing Federation (FIE). Angela Hencher, Chief Operating Officer of Charterhouse, reaffirmed the school’s commitment to supporting the sport: “Charterhouse will continue to partner with the federation to help grow fencing in Nigeria and across Africa. The Senior African Fencing Championships will bring together athletes from across the continent, aligning with our vision to nurture proactive contributors ready to make a meaningful impact in an interconnected world.” “Beyond the competition,” she added, “this event is a celebration of the power of sport, fostering a culture of excellence and ambition.”