Kosovo judo maintains superior level, aiming for even more

A total of 400 judokas from 46 different countries. And Kosovo, as usual, is in the top ten. 

Thanks to Distria Krasniqi's gold medal in the 52 kilogram category and Akil Gjakova's fifth place in the 73 kilogram category, Kosovo has finished the European Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia, in eighth place in the rankings.

Georgia, France, Russia, Italy, Israel, the Netherlands and Hungary finished ahead of Kosovo this time. But many, many countries with developed sports were left behind: Azerbaijan, Serbia, Great Britain, Finland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey, Germany...

Thus, Kosovar judo maintains its superior level. The students of master Driton Kuka continue to regularly win medals in the biggest competitions, in the competitions that really matter.

At the European Championships, Kosovo has won medals for the 14th consecutive year. It is this impressive streak that does not seem to end anytime soon, precisely because of the work of master Kuka and the level of Kosovar judokas.

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Distria has been standing out for several years. And she continues her superior form. She has four European titles already. She has won the European Championship three times in a row. She has also won medals in 16 consecutive competitions.

"The level is being maintained, but in reality most of our judokas are not giving their best. And this has in a way followed the team to this European Championship", Kosovo judo coach Driton Kuka told KOHA on Sunday. He is very pleased with the success achieved, but knows that the number of medals could have been greater.

"The team is stable and is growing with other names. But the other judokas are expected to perform at the highest level. Akili has returned after a series of injuries and is performing well. He was just short of winning a medal. Laura, Erza, Dardani and Fatjona can do much more. I am convinced and strongly believe that Flaka Loxha and Shpati Zekaj will also be on the difficult journey towards the 'Los Angeles 2028' Olympic Games," Kuka added.

Dardan Cena and Fatjona Kasapi each scored a victory at the European Championships in Tbilisi, while Laura Fazliu and Erza Muminović were stopped in their first fights. 

"There are things that each of them needs to improve. But in reality this team had potential for more. This should of course serve as motivation for even greater work, so that in other competitions the true level can be revealed."

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Grandmaster Kuka says that the competition at this European Championship was very strong. He highlights the fact that France and Russia were represented with the best possible judokas and with complete teams.

Kuka achieved his goal for the first half of the year. Slowly, the focus now turns to the World Championships, which will be held in early October in Baku, Azerbaijan.