Nigeria has been handed the hosting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Senior and Veterans Fencing Championships, beating Australia to the race.
This is coming a few weeks after Nigeria hosted the Fencing World Cup to become the first Sub-Saharan African country to host the event.
Egypt and South Africa dominated the event, which was held at the Charterhouse in Lagos, and Nigeria finished seventh in the team’s event.
The highest-ranked Nigerian fencer in the singles event was Ige Olumuyiwa, who finished 27th after being dumped out in the round of 32 by Greece’s Theodoropoulos Panagiotis.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation has approved Nigeria’s bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships, with some conditions to be met before the start of the tournament next year.
Nigeria will be the first African country to host the tournament.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, described the feat as the biggest news for the Nigerian fencing community, highlighting the importance of hosting the tournament.
He said, “We competed against Australia, a nation that has hosted the Commonwealth Championships three times and is among the most experienced globally. This achievement reflects the strength of our bid and Nigeria’s growing respect on the international stage.
“Over 10 months, every aspect of our bid underwent thorough review, culminating in December’s final technical visit during our successful hosting of a Fencing World Cup. This event will likely be the largest in Nigeria’s sporting history, with an estimated 600+ athletes from over 30 countries.
“This is the biggest news for the Nigerian fencing community. Hosting such a prestigious tournament allows us to compete with some of the best fencing nations in the Commonwealth. We are thrilled and motivated to continue growing and popularising the sport. Our efforts during the last World Cup showed we could host this tournament.
“The management of Charter House has pledged their full support, and we will seek more private sector backing to ensure a successful event. Hosting this tournament will also help our fencers compete with the best in the world as they aim to secure tickets to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.”
A total of 39 fencers from eight countries competed for medals and world rankings at the 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup, which was held at the Charterhouse Lagos.
The President of British Fencing, Pat Aiyenuro, was impressed with the way Nigeria hosted the Junior Epee Fencing World Cup.
She said, “I am impressed. The venue is amazing; the organization and refereeing were impressive. We are privileged to have some of the top fencing nations here, including a world champion, which shows their confidence in Nigeria’s ability to host a top-tier competition.”
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.
