Judoka Distria Krasniqi is happy to have won a gold medal at the European Championships. On Wednesday in Podgorica, Montenegro, Distria won the European gold in the up to 52 kilogram category.
"I am very happy to have won the gold medal, especially after this strong final again against the Italian Giuffrida, which I had also won last year in the European final, so I am very happy," Krasniqi told KOHĪN on Wednesday.
Krasniqi has spoken about his rivalry with Italian Odette Giuffrdia.
"This rivalry has probably been going on for more than ten years. Even as juniors we had fights. I won some, I lost some, because facing her is always difficult, because you have to be more than 100% focused. She is a world champion and winner of many other medals, two Olympic medals. With judokas of her level, you are never sure when you enter a fight. Victory is not certain. But I am pleased that this time I came out victorious," Krasniqi said.
It is Distri's third European title. She won the first in 2021 in Lisbon and the second last year in Zagreb. She also has two silver and two bronze European medals.
"I'm liking this medal more. It's better than other times," Krasniqi emphasized.
Distria also has two Olympic medals. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, she won gold, and at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, she won silver.
