Nigeria has recorded a historic milestone in aquatic sports as Abduljabar Adama clinched silver in the men’s 50m butterfly at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania, Afrosport reports.
Adama clocked 23.64 seconds to secure second place, delivering Nigeria’s first-ever medal at a World Aquatics event and marking the nation’s highest achievement in global swimming history.
The 17-year-old’s latest feat builds on his breakthrough at the 16th Africa Junior Swimming Championships in Cairo earlier this year, where he claimed three gold medals and one bronze. He also set a new African Junior record in the 50m freestyle, among other records.
Reacting to the achievement, Nigeria Aquatic Federation (NAF) president Chief Daphey-Aliyu hailed the performance as a “historic breakthrough that will inspire future generations of Nigerian swimmers to dream bigger and aim higher.”
“This medal shows the world that Nigeria can compete at the very top level of swimming. Abduljabar has not just won silver, he has opened the door for many more to follow,” Daphey-Aliyu added.
The National Sports Commission also congratulated the team, reaffirming its support for swimming as a podium sport under the Elite Athletes and Podium Performance Program, of which Adama is a beneficiary.
