Archive · 13 Aug 2026
India tops overall medal tally to lift Wilkinson Sword Trophy
Fencing is a sport where two athletes fight each other with swords.
Countries that belong to the Commonwealth, a big group of nations, competed against one another in this championship.
The 2026 event was held in Lagos, Nigeria, and lasted four days.
India's team won more medals than any other country.
They collected 35 medals in total: 13 gold, 8 silver and 14 bronze.
Gold is the best prize, followed by silver and then bronze.
India also won five of the six team events, where fencers from the same country compete together.
For this great performance, India received a special trophy called the Wilkinson Sword Trophy, given to the country with the best overall performance.
The trophy has been handed out since 1982, and this was the first time India ever won it.
Indian fencing leaders said the victory will give their fencers confidence before future international tournaments.
India won the overall title at the Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2026 with a record 35 medals — 13 gold, 8 silver and 14 bronze across U-23 and senior competitions.
India captured five of six senior team event golds — men's sabre, women's sabre, men's epee, women's epee and women's foil — plus silver in men's foil.
The result earned India the Wilkinson Sword Trophy, awarded since 1982 by the Commonwealth Fencing Federation to the nation with the best overall results.
The four-day Lagos campaign began with a 17-medal U-23 individual haul (4 gold, 4 silver, 9 bronze), including a men's sabre podium sweep led by Nikhil Wagh, followed by 7 and 5 senior individual medals on days 2 and 3.
Fencing Association of India secretary general Rajeev Mehta called the maiden overall title a testament to the talent, discipline and hard work within Indian fencing.
- Who
- India's national fencing contingent, spanning U-23 and senior fencers, supported by coaches and the Fencing Association of India.
- What
- Won the overall championship title and the Wilkinson Sword Trophy with 35 medals at the Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2026.
- When
- 2026, during the four-day championship that concluded on Wednesday.
- Where
- Lagos, Nigeria.
- Why
- India posted the best overall results across U-23 and senior events, winning five of the six senior team competitions.
- Event
- Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2026
- Total medals
- 35 (13 gold, 8 silver, 14 bronze)
- Senior team events
- 5 gold, 1 silver (men's foil)
- Trophy
- Wilkinson Sword Trophy, awarded since 1982
- Host city
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Format
- Four-day event covering U-23 and senior competitions
- Day 1 U-23 individual medals
- 17 (4 gold, 4 silver, 9 bronze)
- Days 2-3 senior individual medals
- 12 (4 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze)
