India kicked off its campaign at the U-23 Commonwealth Fencing Championship with an extraordinary display of talent, securing a remarkable 17 medals, including four gold, four silver, and nine bronze, on the opening day, Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM WAT. The Indian contingent showcased dominance across all six individual events in Sabre, Foil, and Epee categories, ensuring at least one fencer reached the podium in each discipline at the Rugby School Lagos in Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island.
Gold Medal Glory
The four gold medals were hard-won and spread across both men’s and women’s events, highlighting India’s comprehensive strength. In the men’s Sabre competition, Nikhil Wagh led the charge, securing India’s first gold.
The women fencers were equally formidable. Joys Ashita claimed gold in the women’s Foil event, while Prachi Lohan triumphed in the women’s Epee. Jeferlin added another gold to India’s tally in the women’s Sabre category, rounding off a magnificent start for the nation.
Stellar Individual Performances
The medal haul wasn’t just about gold; Indian fencers consistently demonstrated their prowess, filling the podiums across various weapons:
- Men’s Sabre:
- Gold: Nikhil Wagh
- Silver: Lakshay Badser
- Bronze: Ashwini Arya, Laishram Moramba
- Men’s Foil:
- Silver: Tejas Patil
- Bronze: Hemash Sanasam
- Men’s Epee:
- Silver: Lokesh Vemani
- Bronze: Shaurya Ashwini, Godwin Anbkess
- Women’s Foil:
- Gold: Joys Ashita
- Silver: Kanaglakshmi
- Women’s Epee:
- Gold: Prachi Lohan
- Bronze: Nivedhya Nair, Anupriya
- Women’s Sabre:
- Gold: Jeferlin
- Silver: Aakhari
- Bronze: Shreya Gupta
FAI Commendation
Shri Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the Fencing Association of India, lauded the fencers for their exceptional performance. “Our objective is to continue creating more opportunities for young Indian fencers to compete at the international level and prepare them for the senior circuit and major championships,” Mehta stated. He further added, “These achievements are an important step towards building a stronger and more competitive Indian fencing team for the future.”
The U-23 Commonwealth Fencing Championship, which is part of the larger 2026 Commonwealth Senior, Veterans & U23 Fencing Championships, commenced on August 9 and is scheduled to run until August 14, 2026, promising more thrilling action and potential medals for the Indian contingent. India’s dominant start sets a high bar for the rest of the competition, signaling a bright future for Indian fencing on the international stage.