Nigerian swimmer Aidan Dumuje-Abili is excited about competing at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. He sees this as a dream come true. Aidan had this goal long before he got the chance to represent his country, as reported by PUNCH Sports Extra.
The 15-year-old swimmer raced again on Tuesday. He finished fifth in Heat 4 of the men’s 100m backstroke with a time of 1:00.79. This was his second event at the Games.
"Representing Nigeria at the Youth Olympics has been my dream and my main goal as a junior swimmer. It’s something I set for myself at a very young age," the Grange School student in Lagos shared with WSG Events.
Aside from swimming, Aidan loves football, basketball, and tennis. But swimming is the sport he wants to take up professionally.
His sporting heroes show his interests. He looks up to Lionel Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, and swimming great Michael Phelps.
"My idol is Lionel Messi because of his leadership and determination on the pitch. I also play football, basketball, tennis, and I will swim professionally because I’m best at that one. I really like the most decorated swimmer in the world, Michael Phelps," he told PUNCH Sports Extra in a 2023 interview.
The young swimmer has already won many medals in different competitions. These include the World School Games, Dolphin Swimming League in Lagos, and the National Youth Games.
He has also represented Nigeria in continental competitions. This includes the 2025 Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Championships and the Africa Youth Games held in Angola.
At the Africa Youth Games, he won a bronze medal in the men’s 50m backstroke. This further shows his talent among Africa’s rising swimming stars.
According to World Aquatics’ athlete records, Dumuje-Abili achieved a personal best of 1:03.80 in the men’s 100m backstroke at the 2025 Africa Aquatics Zone 2 Championships.
His participation in Dakar 2026 is a big step for him. The young Nigerian is gaining international experience and working hard to build a career in swimming.
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