Lagos Holds African Fencing Champs 

The jostle for medals began at the 2025 African Fencing Championships in Lagos on Wednesday, with continental powerhouse, Egypt showcasing their dominance by winning the tournament’s first gold medal.
One hundred and fifty fencers from 18 countries across the continent are competing at Charterhouse Lagos, in the 23rd edition of the tournament.
The five-day tournament was opened with the men’s epee and women’s foil individual events, with the contests decided by first to five hits in three minutes.
Nigerian athletes weren’t left off the tussle.
Adegbola Babade, Wisdom Okanlawon and the Idongesit brothers, Mahadi and Mahathir made it out of their pools before bowing out in the men’s individual event.
Mahathir Idongesit, who narrowly lost to world junior champion, Mahmoud El-Sayed, in the round of 32, remained upbeat.
“I’m thrilled to have fenced against one of the best in the world. It was a close contest, and I enjoyed every moment. This experience has boosted my confidence and will stay with me for a long time,” he said.
Competing for Nigeria on home soil for the first time, US-based Peluola Akinbamiro also showed grit in the women’s individual event.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented on the opening day of the tournament by the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, hailed the Nigeria Fencing Federation and the international body for opening up the sports in Nigeria.