Oghenegaren Esiovwa-Thompson became the first Nigerian to win gold at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships after claiming the men’s U-23 épée title in Lagos, www.aclsports.com reports.
The 16-year-old achieved the feat on Sunday, August 9, at Rugby School Nigeria in Atlantic City, Lagos, competing for Nigeria for the first time after switching allegiance from England.
Esiovwa-Thompson produced an unbeaten run to the final, where he defeated India’s Lokesh Vemani 15-5 to secure the gold medal. India’s Godwin Natarajan and Ashwini Shaurya completed the podium with bronze medals.
His route to the title began with a perfect record in Pool 4, which earned him a bye into the round of 16. He then overcame South Africa’s Karabo Mathobela 15-7 before defeating India’s Shivaansh Kapoor 15-2 in the quarterfinal.
The semifinal presented another test against India’s Ashwini Shaurya, but Esiovwa-Thompson held his nerve to claim a 15-11 victory and earn a place in the final.
The victory represents a landmark achievement for Nigerian fencing, with the teenager becoming the first Nigerian to win a medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships and the first Nigerian to win gold at an international fencing event.
Esiovwa-Thompson had previously competed for England before changing his sporting allegiance to Nigeria. During his time representing England, he won gold in the U-13 boys’ épée at the 2022 Wratislavia Challenge and later earned bronze in the cadet men’s épée team event in Naples.
Meanwhile, England’s Oliver Strange won the men’s U-23 foil gold after defeating India’s Manoj Patil in the final, with India’s Singh Sanasam and England’s Thomas James taking the bronze medals.
