Nigeria’s rise in global fencing gained a fresh spark as 10-year-old Gbemisola Leah-Pedro impressed at the prestigious Ontario Circuit Fencing Competition in Canada.
Competing in both the U-11 and U-13 categories, Leah-Pedro—who proudly represented Nigeria—stood out among 28 young athletes, securing an impressive 6th-place finish in her debut international appearance.
Displaying exceptional talent, composure, and sportsmanship, the young fencer won three bouts en route to her top-six result, earning praise for her technique and poise throughout the event. The Ontario Circuit is a major stop on Canada’s fencing calendar, attracting emerging talents from across the region and offering invaluable exposure to international competition.
Leah-Pedro’s performance marks a significant milestone not just in her budding career, but also in Nigeria’s expanding footprint in non-traditional sports.
President of the Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, described Leah-Pedro as the future of Nigerian fencing, adding that her international debut would encourage more young athletes to explore fencing and aim for 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 clamouring 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.
