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By:
Arsim Magjera
- March 25 2025 09: 47
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The Italian judo team will be in Kosovo for training from Sunday, the Kosovo Judo Federation announced to KOMA.
It is about a team of 23 members, most of whom are world-class judokas. Among others, the Italian team that will stay in Peja for training is the Olympic champion, Alice Bellandi. She won the gold medal in the 78 kilogram category at the “Paris 2024” Olympic Games. Odette Giuffrida is another top judoka who will stay in Peja. Giuffrida has an Olympic bronze medal in “Rio 2016” and a bronze in “Tokyo 2020”. She is the reigning world champion in the 52 kilogram category. Giuffrida was a rival of Majlinda Kelmendi and is now a rival of Distria Krasniqi. She had suffered from Majlinda in the final of the Rio Olympic Games.
Italy also has many other high-level judokas.
Thanks to the work of master master Driton Kuka and the superior level of Kosovar judokas, the National Judo Center in Peja has become a coveted destination for judokas from many countries around the world. Judokas from other countries come to Peja almost regularly for training.
Next week there will be about 60 judokas from other countries. In addition to the strongest Italian team, there will also be judokas from Slovenia, Finland, Moldova and the Czech Republic. The Slovenian judokas will be accompanied by the well-known coach, Marjan Fabjan.
Brazilian Erika Miranda, one of the best judokas in the 52 kg category, will also be in Peja next week. She has six world medals, among others. She currently works as a coach for the Brazilian U21 team.
Kosovo's elite judokas are currently not competing much. Master Kuka's focus is on preparing the team for the European and World Championships. Next week's camp also serves this purpose. The European Judo Championships are held from April 23 to 26 in Podgorica, Montenegro. Meanwhile, the World Championships are from June 13 to 19 in Budapest, Hungary. Kosovo is aiming for medals in both events.
Kosovo's head judo coach, Driton Kuka, is also working to increase the base, namely the number of quality young judokas who will carry the burden in the upcoming Olympic cycles.
