Ghana’s Joselle Mensah has set two new national records in the women’s 50m and 100m freestyle events during her debut at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
The 21-year-old swimmer broke her own 50m freestyle record with a time of 26.48 seconds, beating her previous best of 26.52 set at the 2023 African Games. She placed third in her heat but did not advance to the semi-finals.
Mensah also established a new national record in the 100m freestyle, clocking 58.98 seconds to win her heat. However, she again fell short of reaching the semi-final stage.
Her performances mark a rapid rise in competitive swimming, having joined Team Ghana just 16 months before making her world championship debut.
Other Ghanaian swimmers had mixed results in Singapore. Team captain Abeku Jackson failed to progress from his heats, finishing last in the 50m butterfly and being disqualified in the 100m butterfly for undisclosed reasons.
Olympian and Africa Aquatics medalist Harry Stacey placed 8th in the 50m freestyle heat and 10th in the 100m freestyle. National backstroke record holder Nubia Adjei finished 3rd in her 50m butterfly heat and 10th in the 50m backstroke.
Ghana’s quartet of Mensah, Jackson, Stacey, and Adjei did not start the 4x100m mixed freestyle relay but competed in the 4x100m mixed medley relay, finishing 6th in their heat with a time of 4:13.77.
The team was supported in Singapore by Ghana Swimming Association President Delphina Quaye and General Secretary Muniru Kassim.
While Mensah did not reach the semi-finals, her record-breaking performances signal a promising future and represent key milestones for Ghanaian swimming on the global stage.
