Esiovwa-Thompson, Akinyosoye Lead Nigeria’s 24-Medal Haul as Commonwealth Fencing Championships Ends
The 14th Commonwealth Fencing Championships have ended in Lagos with Nigeria finishing fourth overall after collecting 24 medals, including one gold, five silver and 18 bronze.
The six-day championship, hosted at Rugby School Nigeria, brought together fencers from 20 countries and ended on Friday, August 14, with a colourful closing ceremony featuring fencing exhibitions, cultural performances, medal presentations, certificates and speeches.
The event marked a significant moment for Nigerian fencing, with the host nation recording its strongest performance at the championships while also showcasing the growing potential of its athletes across able-bodied and wheelchair categories.
Nigeria rewards medal-winning athletes
The closing ceremony also brought financial recognition for Nigeria’s medal-winning athletes.
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, announced cash awards and quarterly training grants for Nigerian athletes who reached the podium.
Nigeria’s gold medallist, Oghenegaren Esiovwa-Thompson, received a $3,000 cash prize alongside a $10,000 quarterly training grant.
Silver medallists were announced to receive $2,000 each and $3,000 quarterly training grants, while bronze medallists would receive $1,000 cash awards.
The wheelchair fencing team was also announced as a recipient of a cash reward.
The recognition is expected to provide additional motivation for the athletes as they look beyond the Commonwealth Championships towards bigger international targets.
Esiovwa-Thompson, Akinyosoye eye 2028 Olympics
For Nigeria’s medal-winning athletes, the success in Lagos represents more than a strong showing on home soil.
Oghenegaren Esiovwa-Thompson and Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye expressed their delight at making their families, friends and country proud, while setting their sights on continued improvement.
Both athletes said they remain focused on developing their careers as they work towards the ambition of representing Nigeria at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Esiovwa-Thompson was one of the standout performers of the championship after securing Nigeria’s historic gold medal in the men’s U-23 epee event.
Nigeria’s Wheel Chair Fencing Team with DG NSC Bukola Olapade, Commonwealth Fencing Federation President Adeyinka Samuel and Lagos Sports Commision DG Lekan Fatodu
Wheelchair fencing makes an impact
The championship also highlighted the potential of wheelchair fencing in Nigeria.
Women’s wheelchair fencing double silver medallist Chidinma Dennis, a former para-athlete in track and field, revealed that she took up fencing only about two months before the competition.
Despite her short time in the sport, Dennis went on to win a silver medal, underlining the possibilities that could emerge with greater investment and structured development.
She called for increased support from government and corporate Nigeria, urging stakeholders to invest in fencing and create more opportunities for athletes to train, compete and develop professionally.
Her performance also reinforces the value of expanding pathways into fencing for athletes from other sporting disciplines.
India claims overall championship title
India emerged as the dominant nation at the Lagos championships, winning its first overall Commonwealth Fencing Championships title and lifting the prestigious Wilkinson Sword Trophy.
The Indian team finished with 35 medals, comprising 13 gold, eight silver and 14 bronze.
Nigeria’s 24-medal haul placed the host nation fourth overall, behind India and other leading teams, but its performance represented an important step forward for fencing in the country.
The championship also gave Nigerian athletes valuable exposure against some of the strongest fencers across the Commonwealth.
Nigeria’s Fencing Boss Samuel Makes History With Veteran Silver, Hosts Nation Finishes Third Overall
Samuel targets Commonwealth Games return for fencing
The tournament’s conclusion also comes as Nigeria and Commonwealth Fencing Federation President Adeyinka Samuel looks to the future of the sport.
Samuel, who became the first Nigerian and African to lead the Commonwealth Fencing Federation during the Lagos championships, disclosed plans to pursue the reinstatement of fencing at the Commonwealth Games.
The ambition could provide another major platform for athletes across the Commonwealth and strengthen the sport’s competitive pathway.
The Lagos championships have therefore ended with medals, financial rewards and new ambitions for Nigerian fencing. More importantly, the performances of the country’s young and wheelchair fencers have strengthened the argument for sustained investment in a sport with Olympic ambitions and growing international potential.
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