Commonwealth Fencing Championships: Team Nigeria targets medals on home soil
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineTeam Nigeria athletes have expressed confidence ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships, saying they are well prepared to challenge for medals when the competition begins in Lagos next month.
The championship is scheduled to hold from August 9 to August 14 and will bring together some of the best fencers from Commonwealth nations.
Among the athletes expected to lead Nigeria’s campaign are Adebodunri Thomas and Alex Chizim Aninyei, who both represented the country at the 2025 African Fencing Championships.
Thomas, Nigeria’s highest-ranked female épée fencer, admitted the tournament would be more demanding than previous competitions but remained optimistic about her chances.
She said: “I have very high expectations and I think it is going to be really challenging.
“This will not be like the African Championships.”
Thomas added: “I hope to reach the last 16 again, as I did at the Junior African Championships. More importantly, fencing against some of the world’s top athletes is a great opportunity.”
Speaking on her preparations, she said: “I have trained every day since returning from school, working with my coach on new techniques, and I am eager to put them into practice.”
Aninyei described the championship as another opportunity to compete against elite opponents while representing Nigeria.
He said: “It is a wonderful opportunity to represent Nigeria. I look forward to competing against different fencers from around the world, gaining experience and testing the skills I have developed over the years.”
The fencer added: “My goal is to qualify from the pool stage, reach the direct elimination rounds and, of course, win a medal.”
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National coach Ibrahim Alogba also expressed confidence in the team’s readiness for the competition.
He said: “We are very ready, and we still have time to prepare further.
“The Commonwealth Championships are no small event, but our team is stronger now and more united than before.”
Alogba added: “With the chemistry we have built and the exposure we have gained from world-class tournaments, I believe we can win medals for Nigeria.”
The championships will give Team Nigeria another opportunity to measure its progress against leading fencers from across the Commonwealth while competing before a home crowd in Lagos.
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