Esiovwa-Thompson makes fencing history at Commonwealth U-23 Epee
Sixteen year old Oghenegaren Esiovwa-Thompson has etched his name into Nigeria’s sporting history after winning the country’s first ever gold medal in the men’s U-23 epee at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Lagos.
Competing for Nigeria for the first time after switching allegiance from England, the teenage sensation produced a remarkable display at Rugby School Nigeria, Atlantic City, overcoming three Indian opponents on his way to the title.
Esiovwa-Thompson saved his most impressive performance for the final, defeating Asian champion Lokesh Vemani of India 15–5 to secure a historic gold medal.
His victory triggered wild celebrations among the home fans and marked a watershed moment for Nigerian fencing, as he became the first Nigerian to win a medal at the championships and the first athlete from the country to claim gold at an international fencing event.
The teenager began his campaign in Pool 4, going unbeaten to top his group and earn a bye into the round of 16.
He then defeated South Africa’s Karabo Mathobela 15–7 before producing another commanding performance against India’s Shivaansh Kapoor, whom he dispatched 15–2 in the quarterfinal.
A tougher challenge awaited in the semifinal against India’s Ashwini Shaurya, but Esiovwa-Thompson held his nerve, edging the contest 15–11 to book his place in the final.
With the home crowd firmly behind him, he delivered a composed and clinical performance against Vemani, winning 15–5 to complete an extraordinary run to the title.
Esiovwa-Thompson’s breakthrough is the latest chapter in a promising career that began while representing England. He won gold in the U-13 boys’ epee at the 2022 Wratislavia Challenge and later claimed bronze in the cadet men’s epee team event in Naples.
Those achievements provided the foundation for what has now become a historic moment for Nigerian fencing.
While Esiovwa-Thompson celebrated Nigeria’s landmark triumph, England’s Oliver Strange claimed the first gold medal of the championships 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 with bronze medals.
Join the Savid News channel on WhatsApp:
