At 17, Inkosi Brou is determined to be part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The teenage fencer has been working tirelessly to ensure his dream becomes a reality by attending several tournaments and amassing points to improve his world ranking. Despite being born and raised in the United States, Brou decided in October 2023 to represent Nigeria as an unranked 15-year-old fencer.
As of January 2025, Brou has risen to 23rd in the world junior ranking and 64th globally. His priority is to compete in Los Angeles in 2028, and he recently shared his dreams and aspirations.
Seventeen-year-old Inkosi Brou is rapidly gaining recognition in the world of fencing. The Nigerian prodigy has climbed to become the second highest-ranked African fencer at the junior level globally, rising from 52nd to 23rd in the latest International Fencing Federation ratings.
At the senior level, he is currently ranked 64th.
Brou, the grandson of the former Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Dora Akunyili, is determined to become the first Nigerian to compete in fencing at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028.
Since the start of the fencing season in September 2024, Brou has competed in seven major tournaments worldwide. His most notable achievement so far is finishing 10th among 216 fencers at the 2024 World Cup in Colombia.
Brou’s impressive rise in the rankings and his unwavering ambition are inspiring many in the Nigerian sports community.
“When I started fencing internationally for Nigeria in October 2023, I did not even have an international junior ranking. To have improved so drastically to the point where I am 23rd in the world among the best fencers of my age has been an amazing journey that would not have been possible without extreme dedication, consistent training, and full belief in my plan of eventually making the 2028 Olympics. This amazing ranking is just the first step in the long journey to the Olympic Games
that I hope to undertake. I would like to thank all of my amazing coaches for the work they put into improving my fencing every single day,” he said.
On his regimented travel plan, he said: “It has been very fun and rewarding to travel to numerous continents and countries, immersing myself in the local culture while competing. It has been incredibly
interesting to see each nation’s unique fencing style. Balancing my academic pursuits with my international travel has been a difficult experience at times, yet I have learned so much from it. I have become more efficient, more disciplined, and more flexible while also drastically improving my time management. Having the ability to travel so much and fulfill my passion is a privilege that I am extremely thankful for.
I hope that my hard work and results can open up the sport of fencing for many other young Nigerians who hope to compete on the international stage.”
Emphasizing his goal, Brou said: “As a fencer whose ultimate goal is to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, I am going to use my experience competing across the globe to adapt to the constant traveling that a high-level fencer must undergo. My LA2028 Olympic goal is helping me organize my life, as my eyes are firmly on the prize. I understand that being an Olympian is a privilege and that I need to improve quite a lot to reach that goal, but I fundamentally believe I can achieve it through sheer focus and dedication.”
For 2025, he said: “My main target in 2025 is to make the podium and get a medal at the African Junior Championships in Angola, as well as achieve another top 8 result in the African Senior Championships. I hope to also get a great result at the upcoming Junior World Championships in China. Overall, I view 2025 as another step in my Olympic journey, and I am very excited for what this new year holds in store for my fencing career.”
On the gains of hosting the fencing World Cup in 2024, Brou said: “I believe fencing as a sport will take off in Nigeria, especially as the country begins to host more Fencing World Cups and other major tournaments.
Numerous countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and South America new to fencing use the organisation of an FIE World Cup in their country as a way to expose dozens of young local fencers to top international fencers and coaches.
Seeing FIE World Cups being held in other countries has strengthened my belief that Nigeria hosting FIE tournaments is the best way to improve the visibility of the sport in the country. I am very excited for the future of fencing in Nigeria.”
