ADADUpdating your news feed...
NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
Loading banners
Loading banners...
By IJEOMA OKIGBO
Nigeria’s Kashope Obatoyinbo has become the first Nigerian athlete to qualify for a final at the ongoing 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
The 15-year-old swimmer secured his place in the men’s 50m freestyle final after edging out Christon Joseph of the Bahamas in a closely contested swim-off on Wednesday.
Obatoyinbo clocked 23.55 seconds to beat Joseph, who finished just 0.01 seconds behind in 23.56 seconds, to claim the final qualification spot.
His qualification represents a significant milestone for Team Nigeria, with the youngster now set to compete for a podium finish.
Meanwhile, other Nigerian swimmers also featured in different events.
Fifteen-year-old Kristabel Oldeide, in the women’s 50m freestyle, finishing fifth in her heat with a time of 27.38 seconds.
Tobiloba Akinsanmi also competed in her third swimming event at the Games, finishing seventh in heat four of the women’s 50m butterfly in 30.47 seconds.
Obatoyinbo will now carry Nigeria’s hopes in the men’s 50m freestyle final on Thursday as he seeks to cap his impressive outing with a podium finish.
The swimming events at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games are scheduled to run until Friday. (NAN)
