By Ben Efe 25.8.2025
Up and coming junior athlete Anita Itohan Enaruna surprised even herself at the recent CAA region two championships when she stormed to winning the women’s 200m in the event held at the University of Ghana Sports Complex Accra.
It was her first international competition after being discovered at the Princess Mabel Madojiemu Schools Athletics Championships in 2023.
She was not meant to run the 200m race at the CAA meet, but Athletics Federation of Nigeria head coach Solomon Aliyu pushed into the fray, and she didn’t disappoint as she posted 23.91secs to win the gold medal beating race favourite Maria Omokwe Thompson 24.01secs, to the second place; Isatou Sey of Gambia was third with 24.25secs.
“I wasn’t prepared for the 200m, but they allowed me to run, and I won the gold… it was my first time of running the 200m in a competitive event. My main event is the 400m,” Enaruna said
“I also won gold in the 4x400m, and it was a joyful outing for being my first ever international competition and I came back home with two gold medals.”
She noted that her journey into athletics started in 2023 when out of curiosity she ventured into the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City to see what some school students were doing there.
“The Princess Mabel Madojiemu Championships made me believe that one day I would be a champion in track and field.
“I was just passing by the stadium when I saw students running and I decided to join them. I won the overall best athlete from there I got inspired to continue with athletics,
“I want thank Princess Mabel for giving us in Edo the chance to express ourselves, May God continue to bless her. I want to follow in her steps and represent this country at the Olympics in the near future.”
Anita Enaruna...catch them young