By VIVIAN AHANMISI

Nigeria has won six medals, comprising one silver and five bronze at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships.

The feat also saw Nigeria secure Africa’s first-ever international medal in Wheelchair Fencing at a competition staged on the continent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition is holding at the Rugby School Nigeria, Atlantic City, in Lagos.

NAN further reports that this is the first time, an international wheelchair fencing event will hold in Africa, with Nigeria already leading with five medals in the para-fencing events.

In the women’s epee Category A, Itunu Kumuyi and Joy Iorguma won bronze medals after reaching the semi-finals before losing to their Indian opponents.

In Category B, Joyce Otun and Abiola Rahamon also won bronze medals, further highlighting Nigeria’s breakthrough in para-fencing.

Chidinma Dennis completed the wheelchair fencing medal haul with a silver medal, after losing to India’s Sheranthi Thomas in the final.

Programme Director, Wheelchair Fencing in the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Tonye Sawari, described the achievement as historic.

“You cannot imagine that we started training just three months ago, yet our athletes quickly became competitive against countries with years of international experience.

“This is a remarkable beginning and we hope to build on this success to raise the profile of wheelchair fencing in Nigeria.

“I am proud of our athletes for making their presence felt in this tournament and commend them for their spirited display,” he said.

Nigeria’s medal haul was further boosted by Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye, who won a bronze medal in the men’s senior sabre.

Akinyosoye, ranked as Nigeria’s top competitor, progressed from Pool 2 into the knockout rounds.

He defeated England’s Charles Gellett 15-6 in the round of 16 before overcoming India’s Bebit Bright 15-12 in the quarter-finals.

In spite of sustaining an early hand injury, Akinyosoye fought strongly in the semi-finals before losing 15-10 to Australia’s Yoongi Shim to settle for bronze.

NAN also reports that with six medals secured and a continental milestone achieved, Nigeria’s performance at the championships has further raised the country’s profile in fencing.

The feat also set a strong foundation for the development of both able-bodied and para-fencing in Nigeria and across Africa.

The competition which started on Aug. 9, will be concluded on Aug. 14. (NAN)

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