Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu opened the Commonwealth Fencing Championships on Sunday at Rugby School Nigeria on Victoria Island, calling sport one of the strongest forces for bringing people together.
Addressing athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth, Sanwo-Olu said sport united people regardless of their origins or personal circumstances. He described it as an equalising force capable of mobilising the world around a common purpose.
The governor praised the Commonwealth Fencing Federation for choosing Lagos to stage the event and promised the state government’s complete backing. He said the championships would help showcase Lagos and Nigeria internationally, while encouraging visiting competitors to experience the city’s culture and warmth and return home with memories beyond their medals.
After three days of competition, India led the medal standings with five golds from the nine titles contested, as well as seven silver and 12 bronze medals. England was next with two gold, one silver and five bronze, while Cyprus and host nation Nigeria had one gold apiece. Australia completed the top five with one silver and one bronze.
Nigeria’s brightest achievement came through Oghenegaren Osievwa-Thompson, whose gold medal thrilled the home supporters and represented an important step forward for fencing in the country. The hosts entered a 12-member squad, comprising six men and six women, for the first edition held in Nigeria, facing opposition that included South Africa and India.
The day also represented a landmark for the sport, with wheelchair fencing included as a medal discipline for the first time. It had previously appeared only as a demonstration event at London 2022, and organisers viewed its introduction as evidence of a more inclusive future for fencing.
Competitors also complimented the Local Organising Committee for its work on accreditation and event logistics.
Bethany Brierley, England’s women’s sabre champion, said she was enjoying her time in Lagos, praising the inspiring surroundings and the friendliness of its people. She added that the energy shown by young Nigerian fencers demonstrated their determination to grow the sport’s standing in a developing fencing nation.
