Nigeria Wins 35 Medals at Africa Zone 2 Swimming Championships in Dakar

Team Nigeria finished the 2026 Africa Zone 2 Swimming Championships with 17 gold, 14 silver and four bronze medals, the country’s best outing at the competition in more than a decade.

The Nigeria Aquatics Federation hailed the performance as a significant achievement for Nigerian swimming.

A Historic Performance

ValidViewNetwork gathered that Nigeria won 35 medals at the 2026 Africa Zone 2 Swimming Championships in Dakar, Senegal, with the Nigeria Aquatics Federation describing the performance as the country’s best outing at the competition in more than a decade.

Team Nigeria finished the championship with 17 gold, 14 silver and four bronze medals across individual and relay events.

Federation Hails Achievement

The Nigeria Aquatics Federation congratulated the country’s junior and senior swimmers, as well as the coaches and technical officials, for their performance at the continental zonal competition.

NAqF President, Lekan Fatodu, said the medal haul was a significant achievement for Nigerian swimming and reflected the progress being made in the development of the sport.

“The performance of our swimmers in Dakar is a thing of great pride for Nigeria. Winning 35 medals, including 17 gold medals, is a significant achievement and one that shows the commitment and hard work of our athletes, coaches and the entire technical crew,” Fatodu said.

Youth Olympic Games Preparation

Fatodu praised the junior swimmers for their performance, saying it encouraged them ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which will take place in Dakar from October 30 to November 13.

He said the championship had allowed the federation to assess the progress of its young swimmers while stepping up preparations for future international competitions.

The NAqF president expressed confidence that the performance in Dakar would provide a boost to Nigeria’s preparations for the Youth Olympic Games.

A Lesson for Nigerian Youths

Nigeria’s swimming team has made the nation proud, 35 medals, 17 of them gold. But behind the medals are years of sacrifice, training and determination.

For young Nigerians, the lesson is clear: excellence is not accidental. The same politicians who will pose for photos with these athletes will never allow their own children to endure the hardship of training without support.

Their children are given every advantage. These athletes earned their success through grit.

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