Majlinda Kelmendi

Majlinda Kelmendi is widely regarded as the greatest judoka in Kosovo’s history and one of the defining athletes of her generation. Fierce, technically sharp and mentally uncompromising, she placed her country firmly on the global sporting map.

Her crowning achievement came at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where she won gold and delivered Kosovo’s first Olympic title. As flagbearer at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, she became a national symbol of pride and resilience.

Kelmendi was World Champion in 2013 and 2014 and added a world bronze medal in Tokyo in 2019. On the European stage she dominated the U52kg division, claiming continental titles in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019. Her consistency across multiple cycles underlined her ability to stay ahead of the competition.

She also built an extraordinary record on the IJF World Tour, collecting 22 World Cup victories including 10 Grand Prix titles, seven Grand Slams, one Masters crown and four European Open wins. She won the Paris Grand Slam four times between 2013 and 2017 and holds the distinction of having claimed more Grand Prix titles than any other athlete.

Coached throughout her career by Driton Kuka, Kelmendi became not only an Olympic champion but the best ambassador her country could wish for. Nowadays she is coach alongside Driton Kuka.

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