By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria and Ghana showed class to dominate both the 2024 Junior and Senior Africa Aquatics Championships for Zone ll.
The swimming event held at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra, the Ghanaian capital.
While Ghana captured most medals, Nigeria won the Junior category of the competition.
Countries’ Report Card
At the end, Nigeria captured 14 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze medals to top the table ahead of Senegal and host Ghana in the Junior category with 19 countries in attendance.
Senegal returned to Dakar with 17 medals in the Senior event, comprising 8 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze while Ghana took 7 gold, 13 silver and 8 bronze medals.
Out of the countries in attendance, 12 were on the medal table.
They are Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Cape Verde, Benin Republic, Gabon, Cote D’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Mali, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea.
In the Senior Championship Team Nigeria finished third on the podium with 17 medals, 2 gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze behind Senegal and Ghana.
Ghana excelled in both Junior and Senior Championships, winning a total of 56 medals at the event.
Team Ghana, represented by 17 swimmers – six seniors and 11 juniors – secured 28 medals in each category during the three-day competition involving 19 nations.
In the senior category, Ghana finished second with 28 medals, while Senegal topped the medal table with 33.
In the junior category, Ghana finished third with 28 medals, including 7 golds.
Individual Brilliance
2024 Olympian Harry Stacey stole the spotlight, emerging as the best male swimmer and being awarded best performer in the 100m freestyle. He claimed 6 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze at the event.
Fellow Olympian Joselle Mensah, who secured eight medals, was also recognized as the best performer in the 50m freestyle.
Compatriots Nubia Adjei and talisman Abeku Jackson also made it to the podium, contributing to Ghana’s impressive performance.
Jada Yankey, who was the youngest swimmer at just 12 years old, captured everyone’s attention by winning a total of 13 medals in the competition.
The lads from Dakar, Kaolack, Thies, Ziguinchor,Touba, Saint Louis, Kaffrine, Kolda, Louga, Pikine, Tambacounda, Bignona, Fatick, Guédiawaye, Rufisque, Bargny and Mbour took 20 gold, 8 silver and 5 bronze medals back to Senegal.
Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Gabon are the countries on the medal table in the Senior Africa Aquatics Championship Zone II.
