Teenage fencing sensation Inkosi Brou, who secured Nigeria’s only medal at the 2025 African Junior Fencing Championships in Luanda, Angola, has climbed to 22nd in the world junior rankings.
Before the African tournament, Brou was ranked 23rd globally, but his bronze medal finish in Angola has boosted his ranking.
Brou is the grandson of former Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Dora Akunyili, is considered one of the most active fencers in Africa and the world.
He has competed in several tournaments this year in his bid to secure a ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games as the first Nigerian to feature in the fencing event.
Brou is expected to compete this month in Budapest, Hungary to win a medal in Angola, Brou dominated his group, which included fencers from Egypt, Senegal, Algeria, and Guinea, to qualify for the round of 16.
From the knockout stage, he had a bye to the quarterfinals, where he defeated Senegal’s Lotfi Ibrihen 15-6, setting up a semi-final clash with Egypt’s third seed, Yassin Khodir.
The quarterfinal match against Khodir was tough, with Brou matching the Egyptians strength-for-strength throughout the encounter.
However, inexperienced contributed to Brou’s narrow 15-11 loss, resulting in a bronze medal and Nigeria finishing sixth at the continental championships.
Akinbamiro and Brou are also preparing for the World Junior Championships next month in China, with home-based Wisdom Okanlawon expected to join the training camp before the world championships kickoff.
