Teenage fencing prodigy Peluola Akinbamiro has reflected on her debut at the recently concluded 2025 African Junior Fencing Championships, calling it a valuable learning experience in her journey towards competing at the Olympic Games.
The 13-year-old, who is based in the US, participated in the continental tournament as part of her preparation for the upcoming 2025 World Junior Fencing Championship in China (April 7-15) and the Senior African Championship in June.
Despite the pressures of competing for Nigeria on the international stage, Akinbamiro remained calm and focused on doing her best for both her country and herself.
“I did not feel any pressure in my debut for Nigeria at the African Junior Championships. My goal was to do my best for my country and myself,” she said. Although the tournament presented challenges, Akinbamiro sees them as stepping stones in her development.
The ups and downs during the competition affected my performance, but they taught me to always be ready and strive to be my best,” she added.
Looking ahead to the competition in China, she is determined to avoid repeating past mistakes. Her long-term dream is to represent Nigeria in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where she will be 16 and at the right age to compete.
Meanwhile, Inkosi Brou, another rising star in Nigerian fencing, secured the country’s only medal at the 2025 African Junior Fencing Championships in Luanda, Angola. Brou’s impressive bronze medal finish has propelled him to 22nd in the world junior rankings, up from 23rd before the African event.
Brou, the grandson of the late Prof. Dora Akunyili, former Director General of NAFDAC, is considered one of Africa’s most promising fencers and has been actively competing in various international tournaments to earn a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as Nigeria’s first-ever fencer in the event.
At the African Championships in Luanda, Brou’s journey to the podium was hard-earned. He dominated his group, which included fencers from Egypt, Senegal, Algeria, and Guinea, to qualify for the round of 16.
He then moved through the knockout rounds, eventually facing Egypt’s third seed, Yassin Khodir, in a tense semifinal match. Despite his strong performance, Brou lost narrowly 15-11, securing a well-earned bronze and helping Nigeria finish sixth overall in the competition.
Both Akinbamiro and Brou are now setting their sights on the World Junior Championships in China, with home-based fencer Wisdom Okanlawon also expected to join the training camp before the event begins next month.
