Esiovwa-Thompson Makes History With Nigeria’s First Commonwealth Fencing Gold

Oghenegaren Esiovwa-Thompson has made history as the first Nigerian fencer to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships.

The 16-year-old achieved the feat in the men’s U-23 epee competition at Rugby School Nigeria in Atlantic City, Lagos, overcoming India’s Asian champion Lokesh Vemani 15-5 in Sunday’s final.

Esiovwa-Thompson’s triumph represents a landmark moment for Nigerian fencing, making him the first athlete from the country to win a medal at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships and the first Nigerian to secure gold at an international fencing competition.

The teenager was competing for Nigeria for the first time after switching allegiance from England and produced an impressive run to the final, defeating three Indian opponents during his campaign.

He began the competition in Pool 4, finishing unbeaten at the top of the group to secure a bye into the round of 16.

His knockout campaign started with a 15-7 victory over South Africa’s Karabo Mathobela before he produced an even more dominant display against India’s Shivaansh Kapoor, winning their quarter-final 15-2.

Esiovwa-Thompson faced another Indian opponent, Ashwini Shaurya, in the semi-final and secured a 15-11 victory to book his place in the gold-medal bout.

He then completed his historic campaign with a convincing 15-5 win over Vemani in the final, sending the home crowd into celebration.

The achievement adds to a promising international career for Esiovwa-Thompson, who had previously represented England before opting to compete for Nigeria.

He won gold in the boys’ U-13 epee at the 2022 Wratislavia Challenge and later claimed a bronze medal in the cadet men’s epee team event in Naples while representing England.

Elsewhere at the championships, England’s Oliver Strange claimed the tournament’s first gold medal after defeating India’s Manoj Patil in the men’s U-23 foil final.

India’s Singh Sanasam and England’s Thomas James completed the podium by winning bronze medals.