- 2026 Commonwealth Games: Abeku Jackson Storms Into Butterfly Semi-Finals; Unilez Takyi Exits 50m Freestyle
Team Ghana enjoyed mixed fortunes in the swimming competition at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with Abeku Jackson booking his place in the men’s 50m butterfly semi-finals while Unilez Takyi bowed out of the women’s 50m freestyle.
Jackson delivered an impressive performance in Heat 7 of the men’s 50m butterfly, clocking 24.11 seconds to finish fourth and secure automatic qualification for the semi-finals.
The time marked an improvement on his entry mark of 24.22 seconds, underlining the Ghanaian’s determination and growing confidence on the Commonwealth Games stage.
His performance placed him 14th overall among a highly competitive field of 70 swimmers, keeping Ghana’s medal hopes alive in the swimming competition.
The heats were led by Canadian star Joshua Liendo, who recorded the fastest time of 23.66 seconds. Australia’s Cam McEvoy and England’s Jacob Peters followed closely, with both swimmers posting 23.74 seconds to underline the quality of the field.
Jackson, who earlier in the competition set a new Ghana national record despite narrowly missing out on the 100m butterfly semi-finals, will now return to the pool for the 50m butterfly semi-finals, where he will be aiming to secure a place in the final and continue Ghana’s encouraging campaign in Glasgow.
There was disappointment, however, for fellow Ghanaian swimmer Unilez Takyi, whose run in the women’s 50m freestyle came to an end after she missed out on a semi-final berth.
Takyi finished seventh in her heat with a time of 27.13 seconds, which was not enough to progress to the next stage of the competition.
Sierra Leone’s Halle Harris won the heat in 26.01 seconds, ahead of Ella Justice of the Isle of Man, who finished second in 26.38 seconds, while Tilly Collymore of Grenada claimed third place in 26.83 seconds.
Although Takyi’s Commonwealth Games campaign in the 50m freestyle has ended, Jackson’s qualification provides Team Ghana with renewed optimism as the nation continues its quest for success in Glasgow.
All eyes will now be on the experienced Ghanaian swimmer as he competes in the men’s 50m butterfly semi-finals, hoping to move one step closer to a place in the medal race.
