Swimming: Nubia sets ambitious goals after World Championships exploits

Rising Ghanaian swimming star, Nubia Adjei, has set her sights on even greater achievements after breaking two national records at the 17th World Aquatics Swimming World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

The 21-year-old, who is currently based in the UK, excelled in both the 50m and 100m backstroke events, marking a historic moment for Ghanaian swimming.

She finished her campaign last Thursday by setting a new national record in the 50m backstroke with a time of 29.85 seconds.

It followed her record-breaking performance in the 100m backstroke on the opening day, where she clocked 1:07.58 minutes at the Duna Arena. 

The remarkable feat saw her improve on her own previous records, highlighting her rapid progress on the world stage.

Reflecting on her accomplishments, Nubia told the Graphic Sports via telephone from Budapest: “I’m truly grateful for the progress I’ve made so far. The improvements in my times are encouraging. It’s an honour to represent Ghana, and breaking national records is always a privilege. 

But I know there’s still a lot of work to do. I’m excited to keep pushing myself and see how far I can go on the world stage.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Nubia has big ambitions. “Next year is all about refining my technique and building strength. My targets include improving my times further, competing in more major international competitions, and continuing to represent Ghana with pride. I’m grateful to all Ghanaians for your unwavering support and belief in me."

While winning medals is one of her goals, she emphasised that her focus is on showcasing resilience and determination. “Winning medals is a goal, but more importantly, it’s about showing resilience and dedication on the international stage. Keep believing in me and in us as a team.

We’ll keep working hard, and I’ll give my best in every competition to bring glory to Ghana and inspire others to chase their dreams.” 

Meanwhile, fellow Ghanaian swimmer Abeku Jackson also delivered commendable performances, despite not advancing past the preliminary rounds. The 24-year-old clocked 23.84 seconds in the 50m butterfly heats and followed up with 53.38 seconds in the 100m butterfly. Both times were slightly off his national records, but still demonstrated his consistent ability at the highest level.

Delphina Quaye, President of the Ghana Swimming Association, expressed pride in the swimmers’ performances. "We are always thrilled when our swimmers perform well on the global stage. We’re satisfied with the performances of both Nubia Adjei and Abeku Jackson. They’ve earned solid positions in their events, and that will drive them to achieve even more," she said.

Looking towards the future, Quaye highlighted the importance of nurturing the next generation of swimmers. "We are focusing on developing younger swimmers to take over from the current national team in the near future.

The swimming league is now a fixture on Ghana's national sports calendar, with swimmers as young as six years old taking part. Our goal is to develop not only their physical abilities but also their cognitive and psychological skills from a young age. That’s the philosophy behind Ghana Swimming under my leadership," she explained.