Nigeria Hosts Fencing World Cup, Okanlawon Leads Team
Nigeria Hosts 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup and Wisdom Okanlawon Leads Charge
Nigeria is set to make history by hosting the 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup in Lagos on December 14–15. Former African cadet champion, Wisdom Okanlawon, has declared his readiness to shine on home soil, leading the Nigerian team as they face top contenders from across the globe.
Wisdom Okanlawon Ready to Lead Nigerian Team
The 17-year-old fencer, who previously won gold and bronze at the 2020 African Fencing Championship, is determined to achieve a podium finish in both individual and team events.
“I know it won’t be easy, but I want to show the world that Nigeria also has good fencers,” said Okanlawon. “We’ll do our best to make our country proud.”
Joining Wisdom Okanlawon are talented teammates Shemilore Fashola, Olumuyiwa Ige, Bade Martins, Kiibaati Opasanya, and the Idongesit siblings, Mahadi and Mahathir.
International Competition and Prestigious Venue
The event will feature formidable fencing nations such as the United States, Hong Kong, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Greece, and Saudi Arabia. The Egyptian team, led by Eslam Osama, aims to build on their previous success and secure valuable world-ranking points.
The tournament will take place at Charterhouse Lagos, making Nigeria the first Sub-Saharan African country to host a fencing World Cup.
High-Profile Supervision and Future Prospects
The International Fencing Federation has appointed Donald Anthony, its vice president from the United States, to oversee the event. Additionally, Peter Smith, chairman of the Technical Committee of the Commonwealth Fencing Board, will assess Nigeria’s capacity to host the Commonwealth Championship in 2025.
With global attention focused on Lagos, the 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup promises to be a landmark event for African fencing, showcasing Nigeria’s emerging talent and organizational prowess.
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