President of British Fencing, Pat Aiyenuro, has predicted a more even distribution of medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos, insisting the era of dominance by a single nation is gradually fading www.aclsports.com reports.
The championships will take place from August 9 to 14, marking a historic moment as Nigeria becomes the first African country to host the senior edition of the competition. The venue at Rugby School in Atlantic City, Lagos, will welcome athletes, officials, and executives of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation.
At the last Commonwealth Fencing Federation Championships in London in 2022, England dominated the medal table with 57 medals, including 22 gold. However, Aiyenuro believes the competitive gap across nations has narrowed significantly ahead of the 2026 tournament.
“England has consistently been one of the strongest nations in Commonwealth fencing because of the depth of its athlete pathway and the strength of its domestic competition. I expect England to be highly competitive once again,” she said.
“However, other Commonwealth countries are now just as competitive. I think there will be a more even spread of medals across nations. Countries such as India, Jamaica, Wales, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Singapore, Mauritius, Kenya, and host nation Nigeria have all invested in developing their programmes. I anticipate very competitive contests across all three weapons, and no team can take success for granted.”
Pat Aiyenuro, who also sits on the Executive Committee of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), praised Nigeria’s steady rise in hosting international competitions and development efforts within the sport.
She added that staging the championships in Lagos carries wider significance beyond competition results, highlighting its impact on visibility, development, and international collaboration.
According to her, hosting the event will also strengthen coaching and officiating standards, expand volunteer opportunities, and boost Nigeria’s profile as a destination for global sporting events.
She further noted that the tournament will inspire young athletes while strengthening ties across the Commonwealth fencing community as preparations continue for what is expected to be a landmark edition in Lagos.
