Olympic Champions, African Stars Light Up Lagos for Fencing’s Premier Showdown
The stage is set. Over 150 elite athletes from 18 African nations are storming into Lagos for the 23rd African Fencing Championships, a prestigious five-day spectacle scheduled for June 25–29 at the state-of-the-art Charterhouse Lagos, West Africa’s first British independent school.
The event, officially opened by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is poised to elevate Nigeria’s profile in global fencing, with 12 events across épée, foil, and sabre weapons—both individual and team contests.
Global Talent Meets African Pride
With Olympic medallists, world champions, and Africa’s top-ranked athletes in attendance, the 2025 Championships are more than just a competition—they’re a celebration of talent, tenacity, and continental ambition.
Top nations like Egypt, Tunisia, and South Africa lead the charge, with fencing icons like:
Elsayed Mohamed
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Mohamed El-Sayed (Egypt) – Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist, defending African champion.
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Mahmoud El-Sayed – World Junior Champion and top-ranked junior globally.
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Farès Ferjani (Tunisia) – Olympic silver medallist and world No. 3 in men’s sabre.
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Alexandra Ndolo (Kenya) – Women’s épée champion, returning to defend her title.
Nigerian Hope: A Shot at Home Glory
The 12-member Nigerian team, one of the youngest at the tournament, is hungry for redemption. With LA 2028 Olympic dreams on the horizon, this championship offers valuable points and home-ground motivation.
Inkosi Brou, 17, Nigeria’s highest-ranked male fencer, will lead the charge in men’s sabre, hoping to break Nigeria’s medal drought on home soil.
Fares ferjani
Star-Studded Events to Watch
Men’s Épée:
A heavyweight clash between the El-Sayed brothers and Africa’s rising stars, including Shamel Youssef and Osama Eslam.
Women’s Épée:
Alexandra Ndolo defends her title against fierce Tunisian and Egyptian challengers.
Men’s Sabre:
Ferjani, Amer, and Nigeria’s Brou Inkosi ignite a three-way battle for gold.
Women’s Sabre:
Cameroon’s Lorina Essomba fends off Egyptian power in what promises to be a lightning-fast contest.
Men’s Foil:
Mohamed Hamza vs. junior world No. 1 Tolba Abdelrahman could be the match of the tournament.
Women’s Foil:
All eyes on Yara Elsharkawy, double gold winner in 2024, now seeking back-to-back titles.
Ndolo Alexandra
Charterhouse Lagos: Raising the Bar for African Sports Hosting
The championship returns to Charterhouse Lagos, which made history by hosting the 2024 World Cup. With its international-grade infrastructure and hospitality, the school is fast becoming a magnet for global sporting events.
“We aim to deliver a professional, international experience that showcases Nigeria’s potential to host world-class events,” said Angela Hencher, COO of Charterhouse Lagos.
FIE Secretary General Gulnora Saidova
Global Spotlight: International Officials Join the Festivities
Heavyweights from the International Fencing Federation (FIE), including Vice President Novak Perovic and Secretary General Gulnora Saidova, are in Lagos to witness the action first-hand.
Also in attendance are:
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Ndaiye Mbagnick, President of the African Fencing Confederation
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Patricia Aiyenuro, President of British Fencing
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Key Nigerian federation leaders, including Adeyinka Samuel and Babatunde Soyoye
Inkosi Brou
With over 150 athletes, 12 titles, and millions of fans watching, the 23rd African Fencing Championships in Lagos is not just a competition—it’s a revolution in African sport.
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