Nigeria’s Abdul Jabar Adama made history on Saturday by winning the country’s first-ever medal at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania.
The 17-year-old swimmer claimed silver in the men’s 50m butterfly with a time of 23.64 seconds.
Britain’s Dean Fearn took gold in 23.54 seconds, while Jan Foltyn of the Czech Republic secured bronze in 23.65 seconds, just a fraction behind Adama.
Prior to the final, Adama had broken his own Nigerian record of 23.81 seconds twice first clocking 23.61 in the preliminary round, before posting 23.48 to qualify for the medal race.
Nigeria’s teenage sensation Abdul Jabar Adama. Photo Credit: X
A product of the Mount Kelly Swimming Centre in the United Kingdom, Adama has been in strong form this year.
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Between April and May, he won two gold medals at the 16th Africa Junior Swimming Championships in Cairo, dominating the 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle events.
With his sights firmly set on the 2028 Olympics, Adama’s breakthrough has raised hopes that Nigeria could finally celebrate its first-ever Olympic medal in swimming.
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In recognition of his rising talent, the National Sports Commission has inducted him into its Elite Athletes and Podium Programme, a prestigious scheme designed to nurture medal prospects.
