The Commonwealth Fencing Federation, CFF, has confirmed the participation of 20 countries, including host countries Nigeria and Australia, at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships scheduled to take place in Lagos from Aug. 9 to Aug. 14.
The federation, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the competition would feature athletes across the Veteran, Under-23, Para and Senior categories, with participants competing in the epee, foil and sabre events.
India will field the largest contingent at the championships, with 67 fencers expected to compete across the various categories.
Other countries registered for the tournament include Bangladesh, Botswana, Cyprus, England, Ghana, Guernsey, Jamaica, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, The Gambia, Togo and Wales.
CFF President Dufour Marie-France described the Lagos championships as a landmark event, noting that it would mark the return of the competition to Africa after a decade.
“It has been 10 years since the Commonwealth Fencing Federation held championships in Africa. We were in Cape Town, South Africa, at the time, and that championship was historic as it incorporated, for the first time, the cadet, U-17, category, becoming the first Junior-Cadet championships in Commonwealth fencing history,” she said.
She added that the Lagos edition would be transformational with the introduction of the Under-23 individual events alongside the established Senior and Veteran categories.
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“This creates additional opportunities for young fencers to experience international-level competition and aim for the podium.
“These championships are also groundbreaking as wheelchair fencing will be introduced as an official medalling event, following the success of the para-fencing demonstration in London in 2022,” she said.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, NFF, Adeyinka Samuel, described the tournament as a historic milestone for fencing in Africa and the Commonwealth.
Samuel said the event would be the first Senior and Veteran Commonwealth Fencing Championships to be hosted in Africa, describing it as a significant moment for the sport.
“The Nigerian Fencing Federation, in collaboration with the CFF, is proud to welcome senior, veteran and U-23 athletes from across the Commonwealth.
“The championships will not only showcase athletic excellence but will also foster unity, sportsmanship and cultural exchange among nations,” he said.
He added that Nigeria was looking forward to welcoming participants to Lagos, describing the city as one with a rich history, culture and opportunities for visitors.
NAN
