At the delayed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Ahouanwanou finished in 15th place, having been fifth after the first four events.
She is now hoping to emulate Ghana’s Margaret Simpson, the only African to earn a heptathlon medal at the World Championships having taken bronze in Helsinki in 2005.
But before that, Ahouanwanou is picking up valuable lessons along the way as she hopes to inspire other young athletes on the continent.
“I learned that I have to be patient,” she said.
“I’ve been hurt, many, many, many times. Several times I wanted to stop. But what made me strong is also my dream, of getting people to know about my country wherever I go.
“I encourage all the girls. Really, if they want to do something… they have to go all out, to give themselves the necessary means. That is to say on the psychological, moral side, to be prepared – because there can be a lot of things that can come up.
“We have the ability. Often it is said that a woman’s place is in the kitchen. No, the woman can do anything now. Women can do anything men do.
“And fortunately, the men understood that too. So, you have to let women blossom.”
A two-time African champion, Ahouanwanou is attracting the spotlight before the World Championships start in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, 15 July.
Leaving ‘the beautiful game’ in Benin proved to be an inspired decision.