Nigeria is making history as the first-ever Men’s Junior Epee World Cup in Sub-Saharan Africa starts today, December 14, at Charterhouse Lagos.
This international tournament , approved by the International Fencing Federation (FIE), brings together athletes from nine countries, including Benin Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Oman, and host nation Nigeria.
A total of 34 competitors will take part in the event, aiming to earn world ranking points in the individual categories. The two-day competition also marks the debut of Charterhouse Lagos as a venue for global sporting events.
High-ranking officials from the FIE and the Commonwealth Fencing Federation are in Lagos to oversee the tournament.
Nigeria is also planning to host the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in 2026. Coach Ibrahim Alogba has expressed optimism about the Nigerian team’s chances, with Wisdom Okanlawon leading the squad.
The spotlight will also be on Egypt’s Eslam Osama, the top-seeded fencer in the tournament. Egypt’s team includes two other top seeds, Youssef Shamel and Mahmoud Elsayed, ranked second and third respectively. Other strong contenders are Kenton Jia Hsu from Hong Kong and Artemios Tzovanis from Greece.
Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, highlighted the significance of this event.
“Our athletes used to travel abroad for major competitions to earn ranking points. Now, with this event in Nigeria, they can save costs and gain points ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers. We are thrilled that months of preparation will culminate in this historic tournament on December 14. It signifies our growth in African fencing,” Samuel said.
The tournament represents a major milestone for fencing in Nigeria and showcases the country’s readiness to host international sporting events.
