Majlinda and her friends back in the village: Meetings of Kosovo Judists in Tokyo Learned

Periskopi

22 July 2021, 13:20(5 years ago)

After four years, Majlinda Kelmendi and friends return to the Olympic village with the goal of further success, while Kelmendi himself is a champion in power in his own category. Judis are the biggest hope of a medal in the biggest multisport event. “Shorty at the Olympics is important, but not [...]

After four years, Majlinda Kelmendi and friends return to the Olympic village with the goal of further success, while Kelmendi himself is a champion in power in his own category.

Judis are the biggest hope of a medal in the biggest multisport event.

Its importance is not great. For our team the lot is a travel initiative. On the first lap in reality our racers have to walk away, and then look at”, said the Judo coach, Driton Kuka, after casting lots this morning.

In the category of up to 48kg, Distria Krasniqi will compete. It will compete on July 24th. In the first lap, it will be free, and in the second, it will face the mechi winner between Harriet Bonfacet from Malawi and Gabriela Chibanas of Brazil.

At Catagorine up to 52kg, the current Olympic champion, Majlinda Kelmendi, will fight. The one on the first lap will compete against Hungarian Reka Pupp. Her race is July 25th.

Nora Gjakova will participate in the second Olympics. It competes on 26 July and in the category of up to 57kg. In the first lap, it is free, and in the second, it will face the winner of the metic between Austrian Sabrina Filzmoser and Dutch Sane Verhagen.

On the same day as Nora, her brother, Achilles Gjakova, will compete. He participates in the category of up to 73kg. Europe's first-round champion faces Gen Ahmed Ayash of Yemen, and if he passes this round, then meets with Neils Stump from Switzerland.

Loriana Kuka takes part for the first time and she competes in the category of up to 78kg. It's the last of Kosovo Judists, after racing on July 29th. In the first lap, it is free, and in the second, it will face the winner of the mechi between Congoese Marie Branser and Russian Aleksandra Babentseva.

Kosovo is represented by 11 athletes in LO Tokyo 2020, but besides the Judists, others are estimated to be unlikely to reach the medal zone. With the Judists, only the possibility Egzon Shala has gone to Tokyo at the rate won, the other five have traveled at the invitation.

This is the second time Kosovo has participated in the Olympic Games. In 2016, it was the first time and debuted with the Olympic gold of Majlinda Kelmendi.