Nigeria unveils squad for Fencing W’Cup

Former African cadet and national junior champion, Wisdom Okanlawon will lead Nigeria’s seven-man team for the 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup, scheduled for December 14-15 at Charterhouse Lagos.

The Nigeria Fencing Federation on Thursday announced the squad for the tournament.

Okanlawon, 17, brings valuable experience from the 2022 African Championships, where he excelled for Nigeria.

“I’m looking forward to the Junior Epee World Cup in Nigeria this weekend, I know it won’t be easy but I am not scared and I want to go there and show the world that Nigeria also has good fencers. We will do our best to make our country proud of our visitors. We hope to mount the podium in all events as a team,” the teenage star told PUNCH Sports Extra.

Joining him is 15-year-old Kiibaati Opasanya, the national school vice-champion, who will make his international debut at this tournament.

The squad also includes Oluwashemilore Fashola (17), Mustapha Fuad (16), Olumuyiwa Ige (17), Bade Martins (17), and Ramadan Sumon (15).

This talented group of young fencers is poised to represent Nigeria with pride and determination on the international stage under the guidance of coach Ibrahim Alogba, who expressed optimism about the athletes’ potential.

A delighted Fashola, participating in his first international tournament, said, “I can’t wait to compete against the best in the world. This is an opportunity for us to improve our world ranking and perform well. I must thank the federation for allowing me to compete in this event, and I am looking forward to the tournament.”

Meanwhile, some participating athletes and teams have started arriving on Thursday, December 12, ahead of the kick-off on Saturday, December 14.

The Commonwealth Fencing Federation, led by its Technical Committee Chairman, Peter Smith, is in Lagos to monitor the success of the two-day tournament as part of the prerequisites to award the 2026 Commonwealth Championships to Nigeria.

Referees from South Africa and Senegal have also arrived in Lagos in readiness for the first Fencing World Cup in Sub-Saharan Africa.