Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation and newly elected President of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation (CFC), has added another remarkable milestone to his growing legacy in the sport after winning a historic silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos.
Samuel, who made history earlier as the first Nigerian and African to lead the CFC, has now become the first Nigerian sabre fencer to win a medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships.
The former fencer returned to competitive action after a 13-year absence, stepping onto the piste in full fencing gear for the men’s veteran sabre event. Despite facing experienced opponents from Wales, Australia and Nigeria, Samuel displayed the determination and competitive sharpness that characterised his active years.
He recorded victories over three of his four opponents, including fellow Nigerian Tonye Sawari, with his only defeat coming against eventual champion Oliver Massey of Wales. His impressive run earned him a silver medal—the first of his fencing career and a landmark achievement for Nigeria.
“I am so happy,” Samuel said. “I featured in two Commonwealth Championships, in 2006 and 2010 in Australia, and narrowly missed out on medals. To finally win one as a veteran is a joy I will cherish for a long time.
“This shows that with determination, nothing is impossible. I am proud that Nigeria picked up several medals this time, and the performance of our young fencers, alongside our wheelchair athletes, proves that fencing is a serious sport that Nigeria must embrace as an Olympic discipline.”
Beyond his personal achievement, Samuel praised the organisation of the Lagos championships, describing the event as the best Commonwealth Fencing Championships ever hosted.
As CFC President, he said one of his major priorities would be to work towards the reinstatement of fencing on the Commonwealth Games programme.
Samuel also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and the CFC to expand the sport across the Commonwealth and strengthen its profile and development in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, India underlined its status as the dominant fencing nation in the Commonwealth, topping the medal table with 20 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze medals at the six-day championship hosted by Rugby School Nigeria in Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos.
England finished second with three gold, two silver and nine bronze medals, while host nation Nigeria produced its best international performance to date, placing third overall with one gold, three silver and 13 bronze medals.
Nigeria was also the highest-ranked African nation among the 20 countries that competed at the championships.
Wales and Cyprus each won one gold medal, with Wales claiming fourth position by virtue of an additional bronze medal. Australia finished with two silver and four bronze medals, South Africa secured two silver and one bronze, while Northern Ireland picked up one bronze.
The 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships will conclude on Friday, August 14, with a colourful closing ceremony combining fencing and Nigerian culture, bringing to an end a historic edition that has further raised the profile of fencing across the Commonwealth.
