The Egyptian team, celebrated champions of the 2022 Cadet and Junior African Fencing Championship, is set to make a triumphant return to Lagos for the 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup.
Taking place on December 14-15 at the Charterhouse in Lagos, this prestigious International Fencing Federation (FIE)-certified tournament offers valuable world-ranking points for competitors.
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Spearheading the Egyptian contingent is world cadet silver medalist Eslam Osama, ranked 11th in the junior category. He will be joined by Youssef Shamel (ranked 13th) and Mahmoud Elsayed (ranked 14th), forming a formidable team determined to dominate the tournament.
The squad’s aim is clear: to solidify their rankings and build momentum for upcoming competitions in 2025.
Among the notable international challengers is Hong Kong’s teenage sensation Kenton Jia Hsu, ranked 18th globally, who leads the four-man Asian delegation. Other teams representing Greece, Saudi Arabia, and a host of African nations, including Nigeria, will also vie for honors.
Nigeria’s hopes rest on the shoulders of Wisdom Okanlawon, a former African cadet champion. Supported by Shemilore Fashola, Olumuyiwa Ige, and others, Okanlawon expressed optimism ahead of the tournament.
“It won’t be easy, but we will do our best to make our country proud. We hope to mount the podium in all events,” he declared.
Adding to the event’s importance, Donald Anthony, FIE Vice President, will oversee proceedings. Meanwhile, Peter Smith, chairman of the Commonwealth Fencing Board’s Technical Committee, will evaluate Nigeria’s readiness to host the 2025 Commonwealth Championship.
With talent-packed teams and international scrutiny, Lagos is poised to become a global fencing hotspot this weekend.
