The victorious Egyptian team from the 2022 Cadet and Junior African Fencing Championship will form the core of the contingent returning to Lagos for the 2024 Men’s Junior Epee Fencing World Cup from December 14 to 15.
Led by the talented Eslam Osama, the team aims to secure world-ranking points at this International Fencing Federation (FIE)-certified tournament.
The two-day event will be held at the Charterhouse in Lagos, featuring teams from Hong Kong, Benin Republic, Greece, Togo, Senegal, Ghana, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and host Nigeria. This marks the only country in Sub-Saharan Africa with hosting rights for the World Cup.
World cadet silver medalist Osama, ranked No. 11 in the junior category, will spearhead the Egyptian challenge.
He will be joined by Youssef Shamel, ranked No. 13, and Mahmoud Elsayed, ranked No. 14. This experienced eight-man Egyptian contingent is eager to use the World Cup to amass ranking points and improve their standings ahead of the 2025 tournaments.
Hong Kong’s teenage sensation Kenton Jia Hsu ranked No. 18 in the world, will lead the four-man Asian team in their quest for ranking points and titles.
The participating teams are expected to arrive in Lagos this week for the weekend’s tournament.
All eyes will be on local favourite Wisdom Okanlawon, a former African cadet champion. Okanlawon will lead the Nigerian team, which includes Shemilore Fashola, Olumuyiwa Ige, Bade Martins, and Kiibaati Opasanya.
A determined Okanlawon expressed his readiness to lead Nigeria to a podium finish at home. “It won’t be easy, but we will do our best to make our country proud against our visitors. We hope to mount the podium in all events as a team,” the teenage star said.
Meanwhile, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) has named its Vice President, Donald Anthony of the United States, as the supervisor for the World Cup.
Additionally, Peter Smith, chairman of the Technical Committee of the Commonwealth Fencing Board, will be in Nigeria to assess the country’s readiness to host a Commonwealth Championship in 2025.