Majlinda Kelmendi
Won Kosovo's first Olympic medal, and made it gold
- Born
- May 9, 1991, Peja, Kosovo
- Nationality
Kosovo
Albania- Height
- 163 cm (5′4″)
- Stance
- Left
- Style
- Uchi mata attacker
- Weight
- 52 kg
- Active
- 2008–2021
- Status
- Retired · age 35
The medals
Kosovo's first Olympic medal (gold, 2016), 2 world titles
The story
ajlinda Kelmendi started judo at eight in Peja under coach Driton Kuka and trained for years while Kosovo had no Olympic recognition. Barred from representing Kosovo at London 2012, she fought for Albania and lost in the second round. She then won the 2013 world title in Rio, Kosovo's first, and retained it in 2014. A herniated disc in her neck in 2015 left her left arm badly weakened, but she chose to carry on, went unbeaten into the Rio Games and beat Italy's Odette Giuffrida in the final to win Kosovo's first Olympic medal of any colour. More European titles and a 2019 world bronze followed before injuries wore her down, and she has since moved into coaching.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Olympic champion, 52 kg (2016)
- World champion, 52 kg (2013, 2014)
- European champion, 52 kg (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019)
- World Masters champion (2013)
- Presidential Medal of Merits, Kosovo
- Kosovo's flag bearer at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020
Defining matches
- 2012LOSSvs Christianne Legentil (London Olympics for Albania; countered for ippon)
- 2013WINvs Érika Miranda (World Championships final, Rio; Kosovo's first world title)
- 2016WINvs Evelyne Tschopp (Rio Olympic first round, uchi mata ippon)
- 2016WINvs Odette Giuffrida (Rio Olympic 52 kg final)
- 2019LOSSvs Uta Abe (World Championships semi-final, pinned)
Kelmendi threw with uchi mata, but she won her biggest final by managing the score: once ahead, keep strong grips, stay active enough to avoid penalties and give nothing to counter. Practise both halves, the committed attack and the disciplined last minute.
