The second day of the 2026 FIDE World Amateur Rapid Championship in Abuja has blown the title race wide open, with Odey Goodness Ekunke emerging as the clear leader after seven rounds and Joseph Sambo producing the day’s biggest headline by defeating top seed FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha.
Starting from Round 4, the championship sharpened quickly. Kigigha kept his perfect record alive by beating CM Toluwanimi Okemakinde, while Ekunke matched him by defeating Augustine Imohede Apemiye. AFM Aryan Raj, the early upset-maker, also continued his sensational run, beating the unrated Tersoo Moses Adekpe to move to 4/4.
But Round 5 began to separate the field. Kigigha ended Raj’s perfect run, while Ekunke defeated Okemakinde to stay level at the top. CM Pankaj Sharma also recovered from his Round 3 loss by beating Lanre Seye Oluwalasinu, keeping himself inside the chasing pack.
Round 6 brought the first major pause at the summit, as Ekunke and Kigigha drew their top-board clash. That result kept both men ahead, but it also gave the chasing group oxygen. Sambo beat Apemiye, Sharma drew with Kumar Aman, and Kumar Saket continued his impressive run by defeating Vidal Noumbo.
Then came the shock of Round 7. Sambo, who had been building momentum quietly after an earlier setback, defeated Kigigha on Board 1. It was the top seed’s first loss of the tournament and a result that changed the shape of the leaderboard. On Board 2, Ekunke made full use of the opportunity, beating Raj to move clear. Sharma also stayed in contention by defeating Saket.
After seven rounds, Ekunke leads alone on 6.5/7. Kigigha, Sharma and Sambo follow on 5.5/7, while Kumar Aman, Okemakinde and FM Eugene Ekpoikong Unwana sit on 5/7.
The upset story has not disappeared either. Raj may have slowed after his perfect start, but his 4.5/7 remains one of the tournament’s best lower-rated performances. Sharma remains a major storyline too, sitting joint second despite earlier turbulence. Meanwhile, Kumar Aman, Kumar Saket, Shantanu Hade, Vishal Gaikwad and Sandra Osarugue Omoruyi have all contributed to the event’s upset-heavy character.
With four rounds left, Abuja has a clear leader, but no settled champion. Ekunke has taken command, Kigigha must now respond, and the chasing pack has enough form and ambition to keep the title race alive into the final day.
