Nigeria’s Ace Fencer, Inkosi Brou, Poised to Impress at 23rd African Fencing Championships

Posted : 25 June 2025

As Lagos prepares to host over 150 of Africa’s finest fencers at the 23rd African Fencing Championships, Nigeria’s 17-year-old sensation, Inkosi Brou, has been tipped to make a strong impression.

The championship is scheduled to take place from June 25 (today) to June 29 at Charterhouse Lagos, the first British independent school in West Africa. This prestigious five-day, 12-event competition promises intense action and elite performances.

According to the Nigeria Fencing Federation, the opening ceremony will be declared by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Fencing championships are competitive events where athletes from various regions, clubs, or countries compete in structured bouts. These can range from local contests to national, continental, and global showdowns.

Fencing features three primary weapons:

Foil – A light thrusting weapon targeting the torso.
Épée – A heavier thrusting weapon that targets the entire body.
Sabre – A light cutting and thrusting weapon that targets everything above the waist, excluding the hands.

This year’s championship will see 50 women and 100 men from 18 African nations competing in both individual and team events. The tournament will feature Olympic medallists, regional champions, and world-class talents.

Charterhouse Lagos, which successfully hosted Nigeria’s first Fencing World Cup in 2024, once again takes the spotlight.

Expect thrilling preliminary rounds leading into medal-deciding finals. Fans will witness fierce rivalries and the emergence of both rising stars and seasoned veterans.

In the men’s individual épée, Egypt’s Mohamed El-Sayed, 22-year-old bronze medallist at Paris 2024 and defending African champion, will battle his younger brother Mahmoud El-Sayed, the reigning junior world champion. Other top contenders include Shamel Youssef, ranked 10th globally among junior men, and compatriots Osama Eslam and Elkord Houssam, bolstering Egypt’s formidable team.

In women’s épée, Kenya’s 38-year-old defending champion, Alexandra Ndolo, will face intense competition from strong Tunisian and Egyptian athletes.

All eyes in the men’s sabre category will be on Tunisia’s Ferjani Fares, world No. 3 and Paris 2024 silver medallist. He is expected to face challenges from Egypt’s Mohamed Amer and Adham Moataz, the 2024 African champion and silver medallist respectively.

Adding home excitement, Nigeria’s Inkosi Brou enters the fray in men’s sabre, aiming to leverage the home advantage and his growing reputation.

In the women’s sabre, Cameroon’s Lorina Essomba will strive to defend her crown against fierce Egyptian opposition.

Egypt’s Mohamed Hamza, the reigning champion, will go head-to-head with teammate Tolba Abdelrahman, the current world junior No. 1, a clash that could define the tournament.

In women’s foil, Egypt’s Yara Elsharkawy, 26, returns to defend the double gold (individual and team) she won at the 2024 African Championships in Morocco.

Egypt remains dominant in both men’s and women’s team events, especially in foil and épée. Their women’s squad will aim for a clean sweep in foil, épée, and sabre.

Tunisia’s men’s sabre team, the reigning champions, face stiff resistance from an experienced Egyptian team.

Nigeria enters the championship with a determined 12-man squad seeking to end their continental medal drought. The tournament also offers a valuable chance to earn Olympic qualification points for Los Angeles 2028.

Led by Inkosi Brou, Nigeria’s highest-ranked fencer, the youthful team; comprising homegrown and foreign-based talents, brings passion, ambition, and national pride to the piste.

Nigeria’s Ace Fencer, Inkosi Brou, Poised to Impress at 23rd African Fencing Championships

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