African Fencing Champs begins in Lagos

The jostle for medals began at the 2025 African Fencing Championships in Lagos on Wednesday, with continental powerhouse, Egypt showcasing their dominance by winning the tournament’s first gold medal.

One hundred and fifty fencers from 18 countries across the continent are competing at Charterhouse Lagos, in the 23rd edition of the tournament.

The five-day tournament was opened with the men’s epee and women’s foil individual events, with the contests decided by first to five hits in three minutes.

Nigerian athletes weren’t left off the tussle

Adegbola Babade, Wisdom Okanlawon and the Idongesit brothers – Mahadi and Mahathir made it out of their pools before bowing out in the men’s individual event.

Mahathir Idongesit, who narrowly lost to world junior champion, Mahmoud El-Sayed, in the round of 32, remained upbeat.

“I’m thrilled to have fenced against one of the best in the world. It was a close contest, and I enjoyed every moment. This experience has boosted my confidence and will stay with me for a long time,” he said.

Competing for Nigeria on home soil for the first time, US-based Peluola Akinbamiro also showed grit in the women’s individual event.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented on the opening day of the tournament by the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, hailed the Nigeria Fencing Federation and the international body for opening up the sports in Nigeria.

“This championship opens the door to vital conversations about how fencing can serve as a powerful tool for broader social good. The Nigerian Fencing Federation and the International Fencing Federation have signalled their desire to build a strategic partnership with UNICEF—one that could see fencing contribute meaningfully to youth empowerment, child protection, and poverty alleviation while creating economic opportunities for our athletes.

“Fencing, now more than ever, can mean so much more for the African child. We have an opportunity to change the lives of children who are yet to discover the sport. Once considered the pastime of European nobles, fencing will be transformed and given a new noble purpose—an African purpose. I am confident that with the right collaboration, fencing can be introduced in all public schools across the nation.”

Day two of the tournament will see actions in the men’s individual sabre and women’s individual epee.