India Triumphs at Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2026 in Lagos
Historic Victory for Indian Fencing Team
Lagos, Nigeria - On August 13, a significant milestone was achieved in Indian sports as the Indian fencing team clinched the overall championship title at the Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2026 held in Lagos.
Over an impressive four-day event, Team India amassed a remarkable total of 35 medals, comprising 13 Gold, 8 Silver, and 14 Bronze across both U-23 and Senior categories, marking a historic achievement on the Commonwealth stage.
The final day of competition showcased India's dominance, particularly in the Senior Team events, where the fencers secured 5 Gold medals out of 6 events contested. The team excelled in Men's Sabre, Women's Sabre, Men's Épee, Women's Épee, and Women's Foil, while also earning a Silver in Men's Foil. This outstanding performance solidified India's top position and earned them the prestigious Wilkinson Sword Trophy, awarded by the Commonwealth Fencing Federation since 1982 to the nation with the best overall results.
The success on Wednesday followed three days of impressive individual performances. The campaign began on Day 1 with a total of 17 medals in the U-23 Individual events, including a complete podium sweep in Men's Sabre led by Gold medalist Nikhil Wagh, along with individual Golds from Joys Ashita (Women's Foil), Prachi Lohan (Women's Épee), and Jeferlin (Women's Sabre). Day 2 saw the Senior Individual events, where India secured 7 medals, highlighted by a Gold-Silver finish from Tanishka Khatri and Khushi Dabhade in Senior Women's Épee. On Day 3, the team added 5 more medals, including Golds from Kanaglakshmi (Senior Women's Foil), Rajendran Shanthimol Sherjin (Senior Men's Épee), and Singh Karan Singh (Senior Men's Sabre).
This victory was made possible by a dedicated support team, including coaches Bharatji Thakor, Shrihari Pise, and Shankar Narayanan, physiotherapist Amruta Balkawade, and team manager Manu Tyagi, whose expertise and management were crucial throughout the competition.
Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the Fencing Association of India (FAI), expressed his pride in the team's achievement, stating, “I am incredibly proud of our entire contingent—every athlete, coach, and support staff member whose relentless dedication made this historic victory possible. Winning the Commonwealth Overall Championship title for the first time is a testament to the talent, discipline, and hard work within Indian fencing. This monumental achievement will serve as a massive boost of confidence for our fencers and will undoubtedly create strong positive momentum as we prepare for upcoming international tournaments and major global championships.”
This landmark campaign in Lagos signifies a pivotal moment for Indian fencing, establishing the nation as a formidable force on the global stage. As the victorious team returns home with the Wilkinson Sword Trophy, the Fencing Association of India is committed to building on this success, ensuring continued support and world-class training for sustained excellence in the sport.