Nigeria will field a 12-athlete para fencing team at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships, with the historic competition set for August 9–14 at Rugby School Nigeria in Atlantic City, Victoria Island.
Nigeria names para fencing team
The Nigerian delegation comprises six men and six women, who will compete in the para events at the championships. The tournament will be held in Nigeria for the first time and will also become the first senior fencing competition staged on African soil.
Nigeria’s men’s selection consists of Oduneye Opeoluwa, Adibe Bright, Owolabi Daniel, Ajani Idowu, Adeniji Michael and Owoyele Damilola. The women’s squad features Obilor Chidinma, Rahamon Abiola, Iorguna Joy, Ezeamwafor Esther, Otun Joyce and Kumuyi Itunu. Every member of the team will be making a first appearance at the event.
Wheelchair fencing academy precedes championships
- From August 5–7, World Abilitysport will work with the Commonwealth Fencing Federation and the Nigeria Fencing Federation to stage the 2026 Wheelchair Fencing Academy, also known as the ENABLE Academy, in Lagos.
- The three-day camp will address the full range of wheelchair fencing, including improved coaching and training methods, competition rules, classification and opportunities for participants to develop professional relationships.
- A separate educational session will be provided for those seeking to become referees, while the programme’s sessions will be directed by Ivan Schwantes, World Para Fencing’s Coaching Representative.
- After the academy concludes, fencers from Commonwealth countries will contest individual and team competitions in foil and epee at the championships.
World Abilitysport highlights inclusion
Harry Cootes, the acting chief executive of World Abilitysport, said expanding access for athletes with disabilities remains central to the organisation’s work.
He described the Wheelchair Fencing Academy, which is entering its fifth year, as an important route for athletes and coaches in developing nations to gain experience. Cootes added that holding the latest edition in Africa for the first time could help extend that impact across the region.
Cootes said the broader objective was to enable more athletes and nations to reach the highest level of competition. He identified the academy and focused events as the starting point for that progress, while thanking the Commonwealth Fencing Federation for its partnership, the Nigeria Fencing Federation for hosting and the educators contributing their expertise to the development of para fencing worldwide.
