Nigeria’s growing profile in fencing continues to rise beyond its
shores, as 10-year-old Gbemisola Leah-Pedro dazzled at the prestigious
Ontario Circuit Fencing competition in Canada recently.

Representing Nigeria at the tournament, the fencing prodigy showcased
her talent on the global stage, competing among 28 young athletes in the
U-11 and U-13 categories. Despite it being her maiden international
outing, Leah-Pedro secured an impressive 6th-place finish, marking a
significant milestone in her budding fencing career.

On her way to finishing among the top six, she edged out three other
fencers, standing out not only for her skill and determination but also
for her composure and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. The
Ontario Circuit is a key stop on the Canadian fencing calendar, drawing
young talents from across the region and beyond, offering them a
platform to compete and grow.

Leah-Pedro’s participation marks a major step forward, both personally
and nationally, reflecting the growing presence of Nigerian athletes in
less traditional sports on the international scene. The competition
provided her with critical exposure to international standards, fencing
techniques, and the invaluable experience of dueling with young fencers
from diverse backgrounds.

“This is a promising beginning for Gbemisola,” said a representative of
the Nigerian Fencing Federation.

“Her performance is an inspiration and a clear indicator of what the
future holds for fencing in Nigeria.”

With this successful debut, Leah-Pedro has not only represented her
country with pride but also sparked enthusiasm among young athletes back
home who aspire to take on the world in emerging sporting disciplines.
President of the Nigerian Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, described
Leah-Pedro as the future of fencing, expressing hope that more
youngsters would embrace the sport in their quest to compete for Nigeria
at the Olympic Games.

“I am so excited that we are having more young people showing genuine
interest in fencing, and this is what we have been clamoring for because
we know that with time, they will gain the valuable experience to
compete at a big stage like the Olympic Games. This is another star that
we hope to support and groom for Nigeria,” he said.