Oghenegaren Esiovwa-Thompson made Nigerian fencing history on Sunday by taking the men’s under-23 épée title at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships at Rugby School Nigeria in Lagos’ Eko Atlantic City.
Key takeaways
- The 16-year-old defeated India’s Asian champion Lokesh Vemani 15–5 in the final.
- Nigeria’s new champion changed sporting allegiance from England before making his debut for the country.
- Godwin Natarajan and Ashwini Shaurya of India shared the épée bronze medals.
- Oliver Strange won England’s first title of the tournament in the men’s under-23 foil.
Nigeria’s breakthrough victory
Esiovwa-Thompson went through Pool 4 without defeat, securing a bye to the last 16. He then overcame South Africa’s Karabo Mathobela 15–7 before producing an emphatic 15–2 quarter-final win against India’s Shivaansh Kapoor.
The semi-final brought a more closely fought contest, but the Nigerian prevailed 15–11 over India’s Ashwini Shaurya. He completed his run by beating Vemani 15–5 in the deciding bout.
The triumph delivered Nigeria’s first medal in the history of the Commonwealth Fencing Championships. It was also the nation’s first gold at any international fencing competition, prompting jubilant scenes among spectators inside the venue.
Although now representing Nigeria, Esiovwa-Thompson had previously achieved success for England. He won the boys’ under-13 épée at the 2022 Wratislavia Challenge and later earned a bronze medal in the cadet men’s team épée competition in Naples.
Strange takes foil honours
England’s Oliver Strange secured the championships’ opening gold medal in the men’s under-23 foil, defeating India’s Manoj Patil in the final. India’s Singh Sanasam and England’s Thomas James completed the podium by sharing bronze.
