Peluola Akinbamiro: Bridging Cultures Through Fencing
Thirteen-year-old Peluola Akinbamiro, a fencer based in the United States, has chosen to represent Nigeria in international competitions. A student at Fort Bend Fencing Academy in Houston, Texas, Akinbamiro expressed that her love for Nigeria inspired her decision to reach out to the Nigerian Fencing Federation, aiming to make her international debut for the country.
Akinbamiro stated, “Representing Nigeria is important to me because it is my motherland, and I am proud to wear its colours in international competitions.” She also emphasized her ambition to excel in fencing while pursuing higher education, crediting her parents’ unwavering support as her primary motivation.
Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigerian Fencing Federation, expressed enthusiasm about Akinbamiro’s decision, noting that her commitment reflects the potential for Nigeria to compete with the best in the world. He believes that having talented fencers like her will inspire homegrown athletes to excel and positively impact the sport’s fortunes in Nigeria.
This development follows a similar move by Folayemi Akinyosoye, who switched his allegiance from Great Britain to Nigeria last year. The Nigerian Fencing Federation has also made significant strides recently, securing the hosting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Senior and Veterans Fencing Championships, marking the first time an African country will host this prestigious event.