How a small gym made Kosovo a judo powerhouse
03 August 2024
At the Paris Olympics, Kosovo showcases its judo dominance, winning two medals, silver and bronze. A martial art focusing on throwing, pinning, and submissions, judo is a competition of technique and finesse over brute strength. Kosovo's success during Paris 2024 continues its streak of five medals in the previous two Olympic Games, all from judo competitions.
Kosovo's judo success story began in a small gym in the city of Peja. Former renowned Yugoslav judoka Driton Kuka led the gym, which France24 described as a "training room with a leaky roof and worn carpets." However, this did not stop Kosovo from spawning world champions.
In 2016, eight years after the country was founded, Kosovars saw their flag hoisted up high in an Olympic medal ceremony. Kosovo's most renowned judoka, Majlinda Kelmendi, won gold in the 52kg category in Rio. Kelmendi became the face of Kosovo's sports world with double world champion and four-time European champion titles, only to announce her retirement in 2021 after Tokyo.
Both Kelmendi and Kuka spoke about the lasting impact of the Kosovo War and its associated trauma. They emphasised it gave the judokas a renewed sense of purpose and hope in their new nation.
 | Jakob Weizman For Kosovo, receiving these medals at the Olympics is an incredible achievement and a source of national pride for many. After all, the country of two million only became independent in 2008 and started participating in the Olympics for the first time in 2016. |
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