Majlinda as a coach: I am a judoka

It stops at two young judokas. He gives them the necessary advice. It tells them how to take the guard, how to hold the hand, where to place the foot and any other details. He stands by them and watches them carefully to see if they are making the correct corrections. It needs some filling, it's right there.

He takes a few steps back towards the part of the hall where mostly the young people are and watches other judokas. He then approaches two young judokas. He also gives them advice. The young judokas look him straight in the eye. They are maximally focused. She seems committed to making sure young women get the right lessons.

They, but also all the young people who were in the hall of the National Judo Center in an evening training in the second part of December, were very lucky. They were learning and being advised by the Olympic champion, Majlinda Kelmendi.

Majlinda no longer competes. She ended her career as a competitor in the summer of 2021. In the fall of that year, she started working as a coach in the staff of Driton Kuka, the Kosovo coach. She already has more than a year of experience as a coach.

Focus and dedication were from Majlinda's strengths as a judoka. She also has these traits as a coach. She does not call herself a "head coach", but the head of the technical staff, Driton Kuka, is very satisfied with the work that Majlinda does in the new judo hall, built in a beautiful part of Peja.

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Majlinda never stops. During training, he often consults with Toni, sometimes with Fatos Tabak and the Spanish coach, Felipe Sanchez, engaged by the Kosovo Judo Federation for specific work, mainly with judokas. He mainly deals with young judokas, but when necessary, he also works with seniors. When necessary, he also runs to become a sparring partner of the District or others. When freed from engagements with adults, it naturally returns to youth.

Although she has ended her career as a contestant, Majlinda has not changed much. It has the same energy, the same approach. It is part of judo. Judo is her life.

"It's been a year and two months since I started as a coach. The beginning was very difficult. It was very difficult to adjust. Maybe due to the fact that as a competitor I was very dedicated and I always gave my best in training. And when I came out as a coach, I expected the contestants to have the same approach, to train in the same way as me. Until Toni came and told me that these are not you, you cannot think with your head", says Majlinda.

"I don't like being called coach"

The transition from judoka to coach is not easy. Even Majlinda accepts this. She, however, has it a little easier, since she has the coach who guided her to the greatest possible successes in the sport of judo as her mentor. Majlinda accepts this too.

"At first it was difficult. It took me almost a year to adapt to the new profession. I'm very lucky to be close to Tony and to learn from. Today I am fine, I am working with children, with cadets, with juniors, with seniors, with the first team. So I'm all in. I spend six to seven hours in the gym and it's generally good. I still have a lot to learn. I don't like being called coach. It's more like an assistant coach, because a coach is something completely different. Being a coach, especially like Toni, is a science. So I have a long way to go to become a coach", says Majlinda.

She speaks fondly of the up-and-coming young judokas. He tells that he has taken to teach a group of girls and boys who are between 13 and 15 years old.

"Actually, when I received them, I can say that they didn't even know the basic things. Maybe they didn't even know how to walk well on tatami. Now they are much different. They have much better technique, much better tactics in war. The psychic aspect is a little different, they are a little more combative. So for a start I think it's going well. The best of the best is that they believe me, they try to do what I tell them and in general we have a good relationship".

I know from experience that a good relationship between the coach and the competitor is a prerequisite for success in judo. Majlinda feels that all judokas, even adults, trust her and try to do what is asked of them.

The big races

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Working in the judo hall is not the only commitment of Majlinda, who as a sportswoman has set new standards not only for Kosovo.

Coach Kuka immediately put him on fire, entrusting him with the guidance of judokas even in the biggest competitions. He even sat in the coach's chair at the World Championship for seniors. Majlinda already has several medals as a coach.

"In the beginning it was very stressful and an interesting experience for me. The most difficult competition was the World Championship. Until the last moment, three days before we left for Uzbekistan, I thought we would go together. But Toni has decided not to come and send me. At first I can't say that it has been very good for me. The first time at the World Championship and going by myself, it seemed to me a very big responsibility. I thank Tony for trusting me, as well as the contestants. We grew up together and know each other very well. But still, as a coach, sitting in the chair at the World Championship seemed to me something very difficult. But I have found myself very well, although at certain moments I am just not entering the tatami. So it's going well", emphasizes Majlinda.

Next to the tatami

The 31-year-old is one of the best judokas in history. He has developed his entire career in the category up to 52 kilograms. Besides the Olympic gold medal in "Rio 2016", he also has two world titles and a world bronze medal. He also has four European titles and a European bronze medal. In the Masters, Grand Slam and Grand Prix competitions, there are a total of 18 gold medals. Her list of achievements is long, although she has been constantly challenged by injuries. She had earlier decided to end her career as a judoka after the Tokyo Olympics, which were held last summer. It stopped early in Tokyo.

For a decade and a half, Majlinda has turned to tatami. Now in judo competitions he has to stand next to him. And this is not always easy.

"At the World Championships, when Distria was in the semi-finals, it was Uta Abe, Amandine Buchard, myself, Distria and England's Chelsie Giles. So the contestants I met a year ago. So it was a very interesting feeling. I don't even know how to describe it. When we started to enter the arena, I had emotions as if I was fighting myself. This is happening to me very often, especially when I'm going to the tatami after Laura. Maybe I've bonded with Laura a bit more since I'm working with her more than the others at the moment. So when I'm going to the tatami with Laura, my hands sweat, I have adrenaline as if I'm racing myself", says Majlinda.

In the final part of the big events, instead of wearing a judo kimono, Majlinda now appears in an elegant suit. This is not the only difference. She is more smiling than when she was a contestant. This is what others from the world of judo tell him.

"They have received me very well, even though most of them are telling me that I look much different. At first I didn't understand how I was looking different. They tell me that now I look more normal, I'm talking, I'm laughing. They tell me that when I was a contestant there was no chance to see me laughing. They tell me that when I was entering the mats, I seemed to be on fire, because of the focus and the way I fought. As a coach, I'm a little more relaxed and in general everyone has received her well, kind words".

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Many things have changed for Majlinda. Not even her passion for judo.

"Judo is what I have done all my life and what I know how to do best in life. When I'm on the tatami, when I'm doing judo, I never feel bad. On the contrary, I feel very good. If I have any troubles, problems in the family or where I know, when I come here I forget all the troubles. Judo is what makes me feel good. I am the judoka", says Majlinda Kelmendi.