Ekuta wins Nigeria's first Judo medal in 24 years

Enku Ekuta has broken a 24-year wait for a Nigerian judo medal at the Commonwealth Games. She won bronze in the women’s -63kg event at the Glasgow 2026 Games on Saturday, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Ekuta defeated Zambia’s Rita Kabinda by ippon. She finished the bronze medal contest in less than three minutes. This came after she lost in the quarter-final but bounced back through the repechage.

Her win is Nigeria’s first judo medal at the Commonwealth Games since 2002. This ends over two decades of disappointment for judo in Nigeria.

This achievement is huge for Nigerian judo. The sport has struggled for years to turn local talent into medals at the Commonwealth Games. Despite having many promising athletes, they have not been able to succeed until now.

Ekuta showed her skills in Glasgow. She delivered determined and smart performances against some of the top-ranked judokas in the Commonwealth. Finally, she secured a place on the podium. People involved in the sport believe this win may encourage more support for grassroots judo and athlete care in the future.

This success adds to a strong showing for Team Nigeria in Glasgow. Nigerian athletes have won medals in various sports, including athletics, weightlifting, swimming, and para sports.