Kosovo with seven judokas at the Mediterranean Games, the next medals are expected

Although without its main asset, Distria Krasniqi, the Kosovo judo team travels to Italy to win the next medals at the Mediterranean Games. 

As usual for multi-sport events, Kosovo's biggest hopes for medals lie with the judokas. They have won medals in all multi-sport events, for seniors and juniors, and the same is expected to be the case at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, which are being held from August 21 to September 3.

Laura Fazliu spoke on Sunday on behalf of the athletes at the presentation ceremony of the Kosovo team that will compete in the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy. Laura competes in the 63 kg category and is a contender for a medal. She is the fourth-place finisher in the category, which proves that she will not lack competition.

Akil Gjakova is also expected to win a medal in the 73 kg category. Akili is also the fourth medalist in the category. He expects a strong competition in the category known for its great competition.

Kosovo's judo coach, master Driton Kuka, has also selected Dardan Cena, who is competing in the 81kg category for the first time, and Shpati Zekaj, who is competing in the 100kg category. Both Dardan and Shpati are considered likely to secure medals in the Mediterranean event.

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Also competing in judo are Erza Muminović in the 48 kilogram category, Fatjona Kasapi in the 52 kilogram category, and Flaka Loxha in the 57 kilogram category.

Kosovo's success at the Mediterranean Games is closely linked to Master Kuka's team. Nine of Kosovo's ten medals at the Mediterranean Games so far have been won in judo.

In Tarragona, Spain, in 2018, Distria Krasniqi, Nora Gjakova and Akil Gjakova won gold medals, while Loriana Kuka won silver. Nora and Loriana have now ended their careers.

In Oran, Algeria in 2022, Distria Krasniqi, Laura Fazliu and Loriana Kuka won gold. Akil Gjakova and Flaka Loxha won bronze. Apart from the judokas, only boxer Shpëtim Bajoku won a bronze medal in "Oran 2022".

In Tarragona, Kosovo had 40 athletes. In Oran, it was represented by 38 athletes. And now it will have a full 163 athletes. The team has grown significantly in numbers, but it remains to be seen whether this growth will bring even more medals. 

This, however, is not considered easy.

"We worked hard and in the end our result made a lot of noise. It made a lot of noise to show the whole world what values ​​Kosovo has, what youth it has and how much we deserved freedom," said Driton Kuka at Sunday's ceremony.

The judokas, as usual, were the center of attention at the ceremony, just as they will be in the competition itself at the Mediterranean Games. 

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"Our goal is to raise the flag of Kosovo as high as possible. I promise that we will represent the state of Kosovo as best as possible. We are prepared and I strongly believe that we will return with medals," said judoka Laura Fazliu.

Although with a small number of athletes, the Kosovo judo team has been one of the best in Europe for almost a decade and a half. Five Olympic medals, three of them gold, dozens of world and European medals, prove this. The Mediterranean Games are not high on the list when it comes to the successes achieved by Kosovo judokas. European, world and Olympic medals, but also medals in several other judo competitions, are considered more valuable. However, for Kosovo, the Mediterranean Games have their own importance, among other things due to the fact that the 2030 Mediterranean Games are held in Pristina.