How Nigeria Sealed Third Place Finish At 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championship In Lagos
By Saheed Afolabi
Nigeria secured its best-ever finish at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships, ending the 2026 edition in third place overall and as the highest-ranked African nation among the 20 countries that competed.
The six-day event, hosted by Rugby School Nigeria in Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos, concluded on Friday. India dominated the medal table with 20 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze medals. England took second with three gold, two silver and nine bronze. Nigeria earned one gold, three silver and 13 bronze to claim third. Wales finished fourth with one gold and one bronze, while Cyprus also secured a single gold.
A standout moment of Nigeria’s campaign came from Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation and newly elected President of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFC). Samuel won silver in the men’s veteran sabre, becoming the first Nigerian and African to lead the CFC and the first Nigerian sabre fencer to medal at the championships.
Returning to competition after 13 years away from the piste, Samuel won three of his four bouts against fencers from Wales, Australia and Nigeria. His only loss was to eventual champion Oliver Massey of Wales.
“I am so happy. I featured in two Commonwealth Championships, 2006 and 2010 in Australia, and narrowly missed out on medals, but to finally win one as a veteran is a joy I will cherish for a long time,” Samuel said. He also described the Lagos championship as the best Commonwealth Fencing Championships ever hosted.
As CFC President, Samuel said he would prioritise efforts to restore fencing to the Commonwealth Games and seek stronger collaboration between the International Fencing Federation and the CFC.
