Filipino swimming standout Jamesray Mishael Ajido secured a spot in the men’s 100-meter butterfly final at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal after finishing seventh overall in the preliminary heats on Sunday, November 1.

Ajido clocked 56.33 seconds in Heat 3, placing fourth in his group and earning one of the eight qualifying spots for the championship race.

The young Filipino swimmer delivered a strong performance against international competitors to keep his medal hopes alive in the prestigious youth sporting event.

Ajido will return to the pool for the men’s 100m butterfly final scheduled at 11:32 p.m. Philippine time on Sunday.

His qualification marks another promising development for the Philippine swimming team as the country continues its campaign at the Dakar Youth Olympics.

Ajido is among the country’s emerging swimming talents, representing the Philippines in international competitions and seeking to establish himself against the world’s top young swimmers.

A podium finish in the final would give the Filipino swimmer a significant achievement on the Youth Olympic stage.

The Philippines continues to field young athletes across several disciplines at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, aiming to gain international experience and compete for medals.