Today marks ten years since one of the greatest moments in the history of Kosovo’s sport.
On August 7, 2016, Majlinda Kelmendi won the gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the women’s 52 kg judo category, securing Kosovo’s first-ever Olympic medal at its debut appearance on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
Coach Driton Kuka recalled the historic achievement, highlighting the immense significance of the victory for both Majlinda and Kosovo.
“Four-time European champion. Two-time world champion. Yet there was always a ‘but’. The Olympics were always the missing piece. Ten years ago, the Olympic gold finally came — the one thing we were missing,” Kuka wrote.
Kelmendi began her Olympic journey in Rio with a victory over Switzerland’s Evelyne Tschopp, before defeating Christianne Legentil and Japan’s Misato Nakamura.
In the historic final, she overcame Italy’s Odette Giuffrida to claim the gold medal and write her name in Kosovo’s sporting history.
“That day in Rio de Janeiro remains a great day for Kosovo and Albanians around the world,” Kuka said.
Following Majlinda’s success, Kosovo continued its Olympic medal achievements through judo. At Tokyo 2020, Distria Krasniqi and Nora Gjakova won gold medals, while at Paris 2024, Krasniqi secured silver and Laura Fazliu won bronze.
Majlinda Kelmendi ended her competitive career after the Tokyo Olympics but continues contributing to Kosovo’s judo as part of Driton Kuka’s coaching team.
