Team Nigeria will compete at the 2026 World Fencing Championships in Hong Kong from July 22 to July 30, aiming to gain valuable international experience and improve its global rankings.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF) confirmed the country’s participation in a statement issued by its Media Department on Sunday.
More than 1,000 elite fencers from over 100 countries are expected to compete at AsiaWorld-Expo in what is regarded as the sport’s biggest event outside the Olympic Games.
According to the federation, the championships will provide Nigeria’s young athletes with the opportunity to compete against world-class opponents while earning valuable ranking points and gaining vital international exposure.
Eighteen-year-old Inkosi Brou will captain the Nigerian team after climbing to 65th in the world rankings following his quarter-final finish at the African Fencing Championships in Abidjan.
Brou will compete in the men’s sabre event alongside world No. 120 Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye and 16-year-old Olen Phoenix Zaoku.
Zaoku, currently ranked 507th in the world, is the youngest of the 154 competitors entered in the men’s sabre event. He described qualifying for the championships as a major milestone in his career.
Seventeen-year-old Adebodunrin Thomas will represent Nigeria in the women’s épée event as the country’s sole female competitor at the championships.
Thomas will face 174 opponents after consecutive appearances at the African Championships, where she has established herself as one of Nigeria’s most promising young fencers.
National coach Ibrahim Alogba described the championships as another important step in the development of fencing in Nigeria.
“We are excited that our fencers will have another opportunity to test themselves against some of the finest athletes in the world,” Alogba said.
“Beyond the competition itself, this is about earning valuable ranking points and building confidence ahead of the Commonwealth Fencing Championships next month.
“Every member of this team is capable of surprising the world. We have prepared well, and everyone understands the responsibility of representing Nigeria.
“We have a young team eager to learn, improve and compete at the highest level. This championship provides essential exposure against the world’s best.”
Alogba expressed confidence that the tournament would improve the athletes’ rankings and further sharpen their skills ahead of next month’s Commonwealth Fencing Championships.
The federation said Nigeria’s participation reflected the steady growth of fencing in the country, with more young athletes competing regularly at continental and global events.
It reaffirmed its commitment to providing international exposure for Nigerian fencers as part of efforts to build a national team capable of competing with the sport’s traditional powerhouses in future championships. (NAN)
