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Judo · Judokas · No. 1

Enku Ekuta

The African champion who ended Nigeria’s 24-year wait for a Commonwealth judo medal, following in her Olympian mother’s footsteps.

  • 2026Commonwealth bronze
  • 2020African champion
  • 63kgWeight
  • 24Years of waiting ended

A judo family

Enku Ekuta, born on 15 March 1998, is the daughter of Catherine Ekuta, who won All-Africa Games gold in 2003 and fought at the Athens 2004 Olympics. She won National Youth Games and Nigeria University Games titles on her way up.

African champion

After silver and bronze medals in 2019, she became African champion in 2020, beating Cameroon’s Hélène Wezeu Dombeu in the final.

Glasgow 2026

At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow she won bronze in the women’s under-63kg, Nigeria’s first Commonwealth judo medal since 2002.

Key results

Enku Ekuta: key results
YearEventResult
2019African ChampionshipsSilver
2019African event, SenegalBronze
2020African ChampionshipsGold
2026Commonwealth Games, GlasgowBronze, under 63kg

Quick answers

Enku Ekuta: quick answers

Who is Enku Ekuta?

A Nigerian judoka born on 15 March 1998, 2020 African champion and bronze medallist in the women’s under-63kg at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Is Enku Ekuta related to Catherine Ekuta?

Yes. Her mother, Catherine Ekuta, won All-Africa Games gold in 2003 and competed at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Why was Enku Ekuta’s 2026 medal important?

It was Nigeria’s first Commonwealth Games judo medal since 2002, ending a 24-year wait.