Nigeria win more medals at C’wealth Fencing Champs

Nigeria made history on home soil at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships, hosted in Atlantic City, Lagos, by claiming a total of nine medals. For the first time in Africa, the international wheelchair fencing event was staged, with Nigeria leading the way. Itunu Kumuyi and Joy Iorguma secured bronze medals in the women's epee category A after reaching the semifinals but falling short against India.

They later won two more bronze medals in the women's foil wheelchair event. In category B, Joyce Otun and Abiola Rahamon also earned bronze. Chidinma Dennis added to the tally with a silver medal, defeating India's Sheranthi Thomas in the final. However, India continued its dominance, winning two gold medals in the women's wheelchair category, with Malti Panaure and Rekha Rekha taking home the gold and silver respectively.

Nigeria's Programme Director of Wheelchair Fencing, Tonye Sawari, hailed this achievement as historic, praising the athletes for their competitive performance against countries with years of international experience. Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye added to Nigeria's medal haul with a bronze in the men's senior sabre, ranking as the top competitor.

Despite a hand injury, he fought valiantly in the knockout rounds before finishing third. With nine medals secured, Nigeria's performance at the championships raised the nation's standing in fencing and set a powerful precedent for the growth of both able-bodied and para-fencing across Africa.