Nora Gjakova: a new life in Belgium as coach

After an outstanding career that included Olympic gold in Tokyo, Nora Gjakova has embraced a new challenge: helping to build the future of judo from the coaching side. Earlier this year the Kosovo champion announced her retirement from competition and shortly afterwards began a new role with the Walloon Judo Federation in Belgium, working closely with Brazilian coach Pedro Guedes.

For Gjakova, the transition feels natural. The two coaches already knew each other from Guedes’ earlier involvement in Kosovo, where he spent a short period working within the successful national programme. That connection helped create trust and made the decision to join the Walloon project an easy one.

“I’m really happy to start this new chapter,” Gjakova explained. “It’s different from being an athlete, but I still feel connected to judo every day. Now my motivation comes from helping others improve.”

Her focus will be mainly on the development of the women’s team in Wallonia, where she hopes to pass on the knowledge and mentality that helped Kosovo become one of the most successful judo nations per capita in the world. Discipline, technical precision and strong gripping fundamentals remain central to her philosophy.

Gjakova believes Belgian judoka have the potential to reach a new level if they adopt the same professional standards she experienced during her own career. Together with Guedes she wants to create a structured environment where athletes can grow both physically and mentally.

“I want to help the athletes understand what it takes to compete at the highest level,” she said. “It’s not only about talent. It’s about consistency, discipline and believing you belong there.”

While she admits she still misses the competitive atmosphere, Gjakova feels energised by her new purpose. Instead of chasing medals herself, she now measures success through the progress of her athletes.

For the Olympic champion, this is not an ending but a beginning: a new life in judo, dedicated to preparing the next generation for elite sport.

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