Majlinda Kelmendi of Kosovo is one of the most famous judoka. In 2016, she completed her enviable collection, becoming the title holder of three major championship medals; European, World and Olympic.
Her personal achievements bestowed upon her country glory she couldn’t have imagined. Already she was a beacon for her nation with her incredible accomplishments but the Rio de Janeiro Olympic gold medal was the final piece to the puzzle.
Kosovo claimed independence in 2008 but was not recognised by the IOC until after the London Olympic Games where she represented Albania. Majlinda’s olympic medal was the first for Kosovo, the fact it was gold was even greater.
This set the standard for the rest of her team who were already medalling but now proved that the highest heights were in their reach.
The team has gone from strength to strength and in Tokyo claimed a further two gold medals which was inconceivable a decade ago, and still even for the team they are numb to what they have achieved, but something they definitely feel is that their motivation came from Majlinda’s strength and their coach, Driton Kuka.
Distria Krasniqi and Nora Gjakova had the day of their lives in Tokyo, and though Majlinda hoped to find herself on the podium, her first round exit was a huge shock for both herself and the rest of the judo community.
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