Temple University Athletics
Blessing Olaode Set to Fence for Nigeria at Senior African Championships
5.29.18 | Women's Fencing
PHILADELPHIA - International competition awaits one Temple fencing standout, as rising senior Blessing Olaode will represent Nigeria at the 2018 Senior African Championships from June 6-10 in Tunis, Tunisia.
Olaode holds dual citizenship with the United States and Nigeria, which she will be representing at this year's games.
"I'm pretty excited," said Olaode. "I was born in Nigeria but until last summer (2017) I hadn't been there in 10 years. Visiting really spurred the decision to represent Nigeria for fencing. It's my home country so I guess I wouldn't want it any other way. I hope by me doing this that maybe Nigeria will be put on the map when it comes to the African fencing countries. Everyone knows Egypt and Tunisia but if I do well I can put Nigeria up there. Besides that, I'm very nervous and excited because this is my first international tournament. I've never gone out of the country to fence but I'm definitely looking forward to it and I hope I do well!"Â
All African Fencing Federations are able to send their top athletes to the Championships. Countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, who are all strong fencing countries, will be attending the Championships. Â
Olaode served as the sabre squad leader for Temple in 2017-18, helping guide the squad to 30 wins overall – the second-most in program history. She was an alternate for the NCAA Championships after placing fifth at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional to cap an impressive season in which she went 37-19 in dual meets to bring her career total to 120-63. In her senior season, 2018-19, Olaode will be Temple's overall team captain.
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Olaode holds dual citizenship with the United States and Nigeria, which she will be representing at this year's games.
"I'm pretty excited," said Olaode. "I was born in Nigeria but until last summer (2017) I hadn't been there in 10 years. Visiting really spurred the decision to represent Nigeria for fencing. It's my home country so I guess I wouldn't want it any other way. I hope by me doing this that maybe Nigeria will be put on the map when it comes to the African fencing countries. Everyone knows Egypt and Tunisia but if I do well I can put Nigeria up there. Besides that, I'm very nervous and excited because this is my first international tournament. I've never gone out of the country to fence but I'm definitely looking forward to it and I hope I do well!"Â
All African Fencing Federations are able to send their top athletes to the Championships. Countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, who are all strong fencing countries, will be attending the Championships. Â
Olaode served as the sabre squad leader for Temple in 2017-18, helping guide the squad to 30 wins overall – the second-most in program history. She was an alternate for the NCAA Championships after placing fifth at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional to cap an impressive season in which she went 37-19 in dual meets to bring her career total to 120-63. In her senior season, 2018-19, Olaode will be Temple's overall team captain.
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