Team Nigeria is set for the 2026 World Fencing Championships in Hong Kong, with the young squad ready to test its strength against the world’s best fencers, www.aclsports.com reports.
The championships will be held from July 22 to 30 at the AsiaWorld-Expo, bringing together more than 1,000 fencers from over 100 countries in the biggest competition in fencing outside the Olympic Games.
Nigeria will be represented in the men’s sabre and women’s épée events, with four young athletes aiming to make their mark on the global stage.
In the men’s sabre, Inkosi Brou, Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye, and Olen Phoenix Zaoku will represent the country. Brou heads into the championships as Nigeria’s highest-ranked fencer after climbing to 65th in the world following his quarterfinal finish at the 2026 African Championships in Abidjan.
Akinyosoye is currently ranked 120th in the world, while 16-year-old Zaoku, ranked 507th globally, will be the youngest competitor in the men’s sabre field of 154 athletes.
Seventeen-year-old Adebodunrin Thomas will fly Nigeria’s flag in the women’s épée. The teenager, who has competed at the last two African Championships, will contest a field of 174 fencers.
National coach Ibrahim Alogba said the championships present another important opportunity for the team to measure themselves against the world’s leading fencers.
“We are excited that our fencers will have another opportunity to test their might against some of the finest athletes in the world. Beyond competition, this is about gaining valuable ranking points and building confidence ahead of the Commonwealth Championships next month. Every member of this team is capable of surprising the world.”
The World Championships will also serve as valuable preparation for next month’s Commonwealth Fencing Championships as Team Nigeria continues its development on the international stage.
