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.
He said: “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.
“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.
He said: “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.”
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.
He said: “I’m excited to finally compete in Nigeria. We’ve trained hard, and I believe we’re ready to break the medal drought.”
Homegrown talent Wisdom Okanlawon also shared his enthusiasm ahead of the championship.
He said:“ 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).
