Nigeria’s growing profile in fencing continues to grow, as 10-year-old Gbemisola Leah-Pedro dazzled at the prestigious Ontario Circuit Fencing competition in Canada.
Representing Nigeria at the tournament, the fencing prodigy showcased her talent on the global stage, competing among 28 young athletes in the U-11 and U-13 categories.
Despite it being her maiden international outing, Leah-Pedro secured an impressive 6th-place finish, marking a significant milestone in her budding fencing career.
On her way to finishing among the top six, she edged out three other fencers, standing out not only for her skill and determination but also for her composure and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
The Ontario Circuit is a key stop on the Canadian fencing calendar, drawing young talents from across the region and beyond, offering them a platform to compete and grow.
Leah-Pedro’s participation marks a major step forward, both personally and nationally, reflecting the growing presence of Nigerian athletes in less traditional sports on the international scene.
The competition provided her with critical exposure to international standards, fencing techniques, and the invaluable experience of duelling with young fencers from diverse backgrounds.
President of the Nigerian Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, described Leah-Pedro as the future of fencing, expressing hope that more youngsters would embrace the sport in their quest to compete for Nigeria at the Olympic Games.
He said, “I am so excited that we are having more young people showing genuine interest in fencing, and this is what we have been clamouring for because we know that with time, they will gain the valuable experience to compete on a big stage like the Olympic Games. This is another star that we hope to support and groom for Nigeria.
“This is a promising beginning for Gbemisola. Her performance is an inspiration and a clear indicator of what the future holds for fencing in Nigeria.
“With this successful debut, Leah-Pedro has not only represented her country with pride but also sparked enthusiasm among young athletes back home who aspire to take on the world in emerging sporting disciplines.”
A few days ago, Italy signed a four-year partnership agreement in December 2024 to advance the development of fencing in Nigeria through technical support and knowledge transfer.
Nigeria hosted the Fencing World Cup in December 2024 to become the first Sub-Saharan African country to host the event.
A total of 39 fencers from eight countries competed for medals and world rankings at the tournament, which was held at the Charterhouse in Lagos.
Fencing is a combat sport that features sword fighting.
The three disciplines of modern fencing are the foil, the épée, and the sabre; each discipline uses a different kind of blade, which shares the same name, and employs its own rules.
