Ekuta Wins Nigeria's First Judo Medal in 24 Years

Ekuta ended a 24-year wait for a Nigerian judo medal at the Commonwealth Games by winning bronze in the women’s -63kg event at the Glasgow 2026 Games on Saturday. She achieved this by defeating Zambia’s Rita Kabinda by ippon in under three minutes, having previously lost in the quarter-finals but rebounding through the repechage.

This medal is Nigeria's first in judo at the Commonwealth Games since the 2002 edition, concluding over two decades of disappointment for the sport in the country. Ekuta's success is seen as a breakthrough for Nigerian judo, which has struggled to convert domestic talent into international medals despite having many promising athletes.

Her performances in Glasgow were characterized by determination and tactical discipline against top-ranked judokas. Stakeholders in the sport believe this achievement could lead to increased investment in grassroots judo development and athlete welfare.

The accomplishment also contributes to a strong overall campaign for Team Nigeria in Glasgow, which has seen medal-winning performances in various disciplines.