Brou leads Six-man squad to World junior fencing championships in China

Nigeria’s highest-ranked fencer and World Tournoi Satellite Cup silver medalist, Inkosi Brou, will lead the country’s six-man squad to the 2025 World Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships in Wuxi, China, which kicks off today and runs until April 15.

The team, consisting of four boys and two girls, includes Brou, as well as three Idongesit siblings—Mahathir, Mahadi, and Sara—all making their international debut for Nigeria in China. Also part of the squad is Peluola Akinbamiro.

Brou, who is Nigeria’s most active fencer with over five tournaments this year, is also the first Nigerian fencer to win a medal in an international competition.

He is focused on improving his world ranking as he sets his sights on the 2025 African Senior Championships in Lagos this June.

“My target is to make the top 16 in the junior men’s Sabre individual event, improve my junior FIE rank, and perform better than I did last year at the Junior/Cadet World Championships in Saudi Arabia,” said Brou.

Eighteen-year-old Mahathir Idongesit, also making his debut, is aiming for a top-eight finish in his first World Junior Championship. “My target in China is to make it to the top eight. I am also hoping to give my best no matter the outcome,” he said.

Fourteen-year-old Mahadi Idongesit has set his sights on the podium. “My target is to get on the podium and finish among the top three.

I will give it my all to achieve this. I expect to give my best no matter who I face in China,” he expressed.

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Meanwhile, 13-year-old Sara Idongesit is focused on gaining valuable experience in her first international competition. “My target in China is to reach the top 16 and give it everything I have. I see this as a valuable opportunity to learn and grow. No matter who I fence against, I’ll give it my all,” she said.

Peluola Akinbamiro, based in the U.S. and having competed in this year’s African Junior Championships in Angola, is hopeful of making it to the top eight.

“I am hoping to make it to the top eight or higher and that everything will run smoothly,” said the 13-year-old.

Other African nations competing at the championships include Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, South Africa, Togo, and Tunisia.