Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation, won a historic silver medal for Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos, www.aclsports.com reports.
Samuel claimed the medal in the men’s veteran sabre event after returning to competitive fencing for the first time in 13 years, winning three of his four bouts, including a victory over compatriot Tonye Sawari.
His only defeat came against Wales’ Oliver Massey, who went on to win the gold medal, making Samuel the first Nigerian sabre fencer to win a medal at the Commonwealth Championships and securing the first medal of his career in fencing.
The Nigeria Fencing Federation president previously competed at the Commonwealth Championships in Australia but narrowly missed out on a medal.
“I am so happy. I featured in two Commonwealth Championships, in 2006 and 2010 in Australia, and narrowly missed out on medals. To finally win one as a veteran is a joy I will cherish for a long time,” Samuel said.
He said the achievement showed that determination could overcome setbacks, while praising Nigeria’s young fencers and wheelchair athletes. The CFC president also described the competition as the best Commonwealth Championships ever hosted, with his priorities including fencing’s return to the Commonwealth Games and stronger FIE-CFC collaboration to grow the sport across the Commonwealth and in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, India topped the medal table with 20 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze medals, ahead of England with three gold, two silver and nine bronze.
Nigeria finished third with one gold, three silver and 13 bronze medals, emerging as the best-performing African nation among the 20 countries, while Wales and Cyprus each claimed one gold. Australia, South Africa and Northern Ireland also featured on the medal table with two silver and four bronze, two silver and one bronze, and one bronze respectively.
The championship concludes on Friday, August 14, with a closing ceremony combining fencing and Nigerian culture.
