Former African cadet and national junior champion Wisdom Okanlawon will spearhead Nigeria’s seven-man squad at the 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup, set to take place from December 14-15 at Charterhouse Lagos.
The Nigeria Fencing Federation announced the team on Thursday, expressing confidence in the athletes as they prepare for the historic event, marking the first Fencing World Cup in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Okanlawon, 17, who shone at the 2022 African Championships, is eager to showcase Nigeria’s fencing talent on the global stage. “I’m looking forward to the Junior Epee World Cup in Nigeria this weekend. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m not scared. I want to show the world that Nigeria has good fencers. We’ll do our best to make our country proud and aim for the podium in all events as a team,” .
Joining Okanlawon are six other young and promising athletes:
- Kiibaati Opasanya (15), the national school vice-champion, making his international debut.
- Oluwashemilore Fashola (17), thrilled to compete in his first international event.
- Mustapha Fuad (16), Olumuyiwa Ige (17), Bade Martins (17), and Ramadan Sumon (15).
The team is under the guidance of coach Ibrahim Alogba, who expressed optimism about the squad’s potential.
Fashola shared his enthusiasm ahead of the tournament: “I can’t wait to compete against the best in the world. This is a great opportunity to improve our world ranking and gain experience. I’m grateful to the federation for this chance and am looking forward to the competition.”
Teams and athletes from various countries began arriving in Lagos on December 12 in preparation for the event. The Commonwealth Fencing Federation, led by Technical Committee Chairman Peter Smith, is on hand to evaluate the tournament’s success, a key step toward Nigeria’s bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Championships.
Referees from South Africa and Senegal have also arrived to officiate the two-day event, which promises to be a milestone for fencing in the region.
The Nigerian team, brimming with youthful talent and determination, is ready to make an impact and elevate the nation’s presence in the global fencing community.
