India top 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as Nigeria finish fourth
India emerged as the dominant force at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos, topping the final medal table as hosts Nigeria finished fourth after six days of intense competition.
The championships, staged at Rugby School Nigeria, Eko Atlantic City, brought together athletes from 20 nations, with India finishing comfortably at the summit with 25 gold, 20 silver and 18 bronze medals. Their wheelchair fencing team completed a clean sweep on the final day, further extending their dominance.
Nigeria ended the competition with one gold, five silver and 18 bronze medals, with 17-year-old Oghenegaren Osievwa-Thompson delivering the hosts’ lone gold medal.
The debutant Nigerian wheelchair fencing team was also instrumental in the country’s medal haul, accounting for a significant number of the silver and bronze medals won by the hosts.
England finished second with three gold, two silver and nine bronze medals, while Wales secured third place after producing a late winner in the men’s veteran sabre. South Africa rounded out the top five with one gold, three silver and one bronze.
Other medal-winning nations included Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Australia and Singapore, highlighting the international spread of the six-day championships.
At the closing ceremony, National Sports Commission Director General Bukonla Olopade commended the Nigeria Fencing Federation, led by Adeyinka Samuel, for successfully delivering the competition.
Olopade also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the growth of fencing in Nigeria and rewarded members of Team Nigeria with cash incentives for their performances.
Samuel, who made history as the first African president of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation, also had a memorable outing on the piste, claiming silver in the men’s veteran sabre.
He expressed appreciation to the individuals and organisations that contributed to the success of the championships, while pledging to build on the momentum generated by the event and further develop Nigerian fencing.
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