In a moment charged with deep history and personal triumph, Enku Ekuta emerged victorious in the women’s -63kg judo category at the 2024 Gateway Games in Abeokuta.
Her gold medal win not only extended her national dominance but also brought a powerful sense of closure to a family story that has spanned nearly two decades.
The Akwa Ibom-born judoka secured her fourth consecutive gold at the National Sports Festival by defeating Ondo State’s Kafayat Azeez in the women’s -63kg final at the Ilisan Town Hall, Ilisan Remo.
This victory reaffirmed her place as Nigeria’s premier female judoka and marked a symbolic moment of redemption.
Speaking exclusively to Prime Sports Radio Enugu and Athletic NG, Enku shared the emotional weight of the achievement.
“It’s really been something,” she reflected. “At the last Ogun Sports Festival in 2006, my mother was robbed of her gold medal. So, for me, coming back here and winning this, it means so much more.”
Ekuta at eight months with her parents during the 1998 National Sports Festival in Imo state.
Enku’s judo journey is rooted deeply in family legacy and personal perseverance. Making her National Sports Festival debut in Abuja in 2018, she has since dominated the scene with a steady stream of gold medals.
Her full name, Enku Ewa Ekuta, meaning “God will open the way of success,” seems prophetic given her relentless pursuit of excellence.
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Despite disruptions caused by the postponement of the Games, Enku and her team maintained rigorous preparations. “We started preparations last year, when the Games got pushed back, our coach had to restrategise and rebuild the momentum” she explained.
Looking beyond national acclaim, Enku’s sights are set firmly on continental and global stages. “Next up is the African Championships, African Opens, and IJF World Tour events — by God’s grace,” she said confidently.
Enku Ekuta (C) alongside her parents Coach Kate Ekuta (R) and Coach Ewa Ekuta at the Gateway Games 2024
Her Olympic ambition echoes her family’s rich judo heritage. Enku’s mother, Catherine Ekuta, represented Nigeria at the Athens 2004 Olympics and is a former African Games champion and respected Director in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports.
Her father, Ewa Ekuta, a former NUGA gold medalist, IJF-certified referee and coach, and former Technical Director of the Nigeria Judo Federation, has been instrumental in shaping her career.
Since her international debut in 2019, Enku has steadily built an impressive record, highlighted by her gold medal performance at the 4th African Judo Open in Dakar where she defeated Cameroonian star Hélène Dombeu. With one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals from major continental championships, she is rapidly crafting a legacy that honors her family name.
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Her path hasn’t been without setbacks. After qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics — becoming the first Nigerian female judoka in 17 years to achieve this feat — administrative challenges unfortunately prevented her from competing.
That last Nigerian woman was her mother, Catherine Ekuta, who qualified for and competed at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. This deep family legacy only strengthens Enku’s resolve to fulfill their shared Olympic dream.
