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By:
Arsim Magjera
- December 31, 2021 22:25
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In a new hall, but with usual seriousness. With the seriousness and dedication that sent him to the sports pedestal.
The two main figures of 2021, Nora Gjakova and Distria Krasniqi, made their usual way to the gym on a cold mid-December evening. Now no longer to the Ippon club gym, but hundreds of meters higher, to the National Judo Center.
The iconic Ippon Hall, where our champions grew up, has now been replaced with a more modern and significantly larger hall. The distance between the two halls is not great, but the National Judo Center is built higher. As if to prove that the judokas who practice in it now stand higher. Or that the athletes who learn sports at the Center aim higher and higher.
There is no doubt that Distria and Nora are higher than before this year. They already have the highest possible title in the sport. They are Olympic champions. They have joined Majlinda Kelmendi as the only athletes from Kosovo with Olympic gold medals.
There is no greater success.
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Nora and Distria have the most precious medal in sports - the Olympic gold. It is extraordinary for a small country like Kosovo, a country with less than two million inhabitants that is very weak in other sports, but also in other spheres of life.
There is no difference in the way Distria and Nora train now compared to the period before the Tokyo Olympics, held in late July and early August. At least the approach hasn't changed.
Discipline, maximum commitment, concentration and implementation of all the requirements of coach Driton Kuka, the architect of Kosovo's extraordinary sporting success. Nora with her sister, Dëbora, and Distria with Erza Muminović as a partner. They do the usual warm-up, listen to what the main part of the training will contain and continue working. They are the first to demonstrate. Others continue behind them.
The focus is on maximum. You can feel the thirst in the way they execute the exercises, how they do the throws, how they get up and how they start the next set.
They know, as well as everyone else who is lucky enough to train at the National Judo Center, that it is the only way to reach the top. To take a place on the highest step of the podium, at the biggest sporting event. To make the family, the coach, a state and an entire nation proud.
Nora and Distria have tried this in the hot end of July 2021, in the iconic hall "Nippon Budokan", in Tokyo, Japan, the place where the sport of judo was born.
Thanks to Nora District, Kosovo was the second most successful in the "Tokyo 2020" Olympic Games, as far as the individual judo competition is concerned. The first of course was Japan.
unstoppable
On the massive podium, Distria took the main place on July 24. Nearby, but slightly below, was the Japanese Funa Tonaki. On the other wing, even lower, were Ukrainian Daria Bilodid and Mongolian Munkhbat Urantsetseg.
It's not often that the top lifter is ranked first in a major judo competition. This was achieved by Distria, the 26-year-old pejana, with great strength. Gabriel Chibana of Brazil was first passed by Distria, in the second round of the up to 48 kilogram competition. Chen-Hao Lin of Chinese Taipei was the second judoka to be defeated by Distria. With victory over Urantsetseg Munkhbat of Mongolia, Distria took a place in the final. He achieved his goal - secured the Olympic medal. But the biggest fight awaited him, the final with the Japanese Funa Tonaki. For Tonaki, Distria had its troubles. It seemed that he was left without strength, but he found the energy to triumph and bring emotions to all Albanians.
"He rated this year as the most successful in my career. I won the title of European champion and Olympic gold. I rate it as successful, despite the challenges we have had due to the situation with the coronavirus. But I am satisfied again. The Olympic gold medal, which I worked hard for and will never forget, was historic. Also, this year I managed to stay first in the world rankings, which I value like medals", said Distria Krasniqi during training at the National Center, in mid-December.
Of course, now it is declared much easier and without much emotion. It was completely different in Tokyo. She had declared to KOHEN immediately after winning the biggest competition, while admitting that she was "lost" from the emotions that had captured her.
There is no doubt that it is the most successful year. She will never forget the day when she was declared Olympic champion either.
There have been other successes for Dis during 2021, but none compare to the Olympic gold medal. He first won gold at the Masters, where the best of judo gather. He then won the European title. At the World Championships, he was almost without a medal - he placed fifth. And the peak was on July 24.
After the Olympics, Distria has changed categories, moving to the one up to 52 kilograms. The first attempt was not so successful, he was ranked fifth at the Baku Grand Slam. While in December, he helped a Turkish team win the Champions League.
A few weeks after the Tokyo Games, Distria returned to work in the gym. He had the opportunity to rest much longer, but he was not beaten.
"We started with exercises, I also had a competition. The performance was not good, but that doesn't really matter because it was the first after the Olympics. I have presented myself with importance. I was not very prepared, it was a test. I believe that next year I will continue with good performances and other medals", added the golden District.
At the end of the year, she was announced by the IJF as the best judoka in the world for 2021.
Regarding the District's year, coach Driton Kuka says: "The District won the Masters held in January, where everyone participated. If you see the Masters podium, it's the same as the Olympics. He performed very well there and actually started the year in the best possible way. Then she became the European champion, in the World Cup I suggested her not to participate, because we were coming from the three-week preparations in the mountains. But she had the will and finished fifth. I expected it to culminate in Tokyo and it did. The pinnacle of every athlete is to win the Olympic gold medal."
Special
Nora Gjakova reached the highest point in her career on July 26. Of course in "Nippon Budokan", the arena that breathes with judo and for judo. She was declared Olympic champion in the category up to 57 kilograms.
She shared the podium with French Sarah-Leonie Cysique, Japanese Tsukasa Yoshida and Canadian Jessica Klimkai.
Nora traveled to Tokyo as the third carrier. The first carrier was the Canadian Jessica Klimkait, while the second was the Japanese Yoshida. Our Nora in the first lap was free. In the second, he defeated the Dutchwoman Sanne Verhagen. Slovenia's Kaja Kajzar was defeated by Nora for a place in the semi-finals.
The semi-final was the key moment. Tsukasa Yoshida had dominated Nora in past wars. But at the most important moment in her career, Nora earned the right to be happy. Defeated Yoshida, took place in the final, secured the Olympic medal. He had prepared for the fight against Yoshida for a long time with coach Kuka. Things had been studied in detail to seek her success.
The final was not long. It was a tie, but the French Cysique broke the rules and Nora was declared the winner. Besides the medal with the greatest brilliance in sports, Nora also won the sympathy of IJF officials. He had shown the correctness that few sportsmen have. She showed her correctness in the final fight, when all eyes were on her.
So Nora, who has long sought success, touched the highest possible level.
2021 for Nora is complete with other successes. She won medals in all three major events. It was third in the European Championship, the same as in the World Cup. Even the World medal was the first for the 29-year-old.
In the first part of the year, while she was building her form for the Olympics, Nora was third in the Masters and first in the Tbilisi Grand Slam. These are results that do not take place alongside the Olympic gold medal and the world and European bronze medals.
"Considering the preparations we have made, then I can say that I expected medals at the European, World and Olympic Games. I knew I would be among the best and I waited for my day. It was a day that I will remember with pride (the day he won Olympic gold last year). One of the best days of my life. I am satisfied that I have proven myself where it was necessary and I hope to continue with success next year as well", said Nora Gjakova.
The European and the World are the two main "stations" for judokas in 2022. But all future competitions have one big goal - preparation for the Olympic games "Paris 2024".
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"Until the next Olympics, we have the European and World Championships, which will be my main focus. Then the qualification for the Olympic Games and we are gradually returning to the form we should be in for next year", added Gjakova.
Coach Kuka says that Nora's category is the strongest among judokas. Appreciates the fact that Nora has won medals in the three main events.
"Nora has won medals in every competition and has performed well. In the last two years, Nora has been perfect, she hasn't spoken, but she has worked. This year everything has gone in the best possible way. Nora has surpassed herself and now has the highest sports title. Distri and Nora need time to understand what a great achievement they have. The perfect year of Nora and Distri fulfilled our team", said Driton Kuka.
On the next tatami
The Tokyo Olympic Games competition was special for the Gjakova family. On the same day, Nora and Akil Gjakova competed. Akili is Kosovo's top judoka. At one point, while Nora was fighting on tatami number two, Akili was getting ready for his fight. And the support for the sister was maximum.
Akili had a positive race in Tokyo, but still remained without a medal. He was not a carrier in the category up to 73 kilograms, which is estimated to have the best judokas.
In the first lap he passed Ahmed Ayashi from Yemen. The victory of our Achilles was not even discussed. But Nils Stump of Switzerland was a quality competitor, whom Akili faced in the second fight. He passed it successfully. Tommy Macias of Sweden is considered one of the best in the category, but even he was surpassed by Akil Gjakova.
With the Mongol Tsogtbaatar Tsend-Ochir fought hard, but not with a happy ending. Akili then lost to the Azerbaijani Rustam Orujov. And so it was ranked seventh. But Akili and coach Driton Kuka remained satisfied with the result. The balance of three wins and two losses confirmed the level of Achilles.
In another competition Akili achieved the success that no athlete in Kosovo has. He was declared European champion on April 16. It was the 25-year-old's only medal, but the first European gold for Kosovar athletes.
"Of course I am satisfied, it is the best year in my career. After several consecutive participations in the World and European Championships, I secured the first European gold medal. It is the first, historic and only medal for Kosovo in the men's category. Also, I finished seventh in the Olympics, which is quite a feat for me. But of course I have bigger goals. I hope that next year will be successful as well", said Akil Gjakova.
He has admitted that the Tokyo Games have motivated him to work even harder. He is determined to give his best in every training session and every day to win a medal in Paris in 2024.
"Seventh place in the Olympics is not easy to achieve. Although I went for medals, I am happy with my overall performance. The level of the Olympics is known. I am hoping that in the next Olympics I will win a medal", added Gjakova.
Of course, until the Paris Olympics, Achilles is aiming for other heavy medals. Even the first one is aimed at the French capital.
"Now we start more slowly. I believe that I will have my first participation in the Paris Grand Slam. It is the tournament that I like the most".
The European Achilles medal is ranked high by coach Driton Kuka.
"Actually Akili is among the four best in the world, and that makes me proud", says Toni Kuka.
Results of others
There have been many developments around the judo team this year. The first Olympic champion, Majlinda Kelmendi, decided to end her career as a judoka. The last race for him was at the Tokyo Olympics. Majlinda suddenly stopped in the first fight in the category up to 52 kilograms.
Her elimination was another emotional moment.
Majlinda has already started working as a coach and at the end of December she debuted in the new position. He led the boys in a competition in Slovenia, where they won many medals. Majlinda is working alongside Toni, but with judokas of the younger generation.
Loriana Kuka was also in Tokyo, who also stopped in the first fight. But Lori's level is no longer contested. She has world medals, among others.
Other developments in judo, but also in Kosovar sports in general, were overshadowed by the brilliance of Nora and Distri at the Tokyo Games.
Erza Muminović has won European and world medals for juniors. Laura Fazliu and Flaka Loxha have taken steps forward, while others have continued to work in search of emerging at a serious level. It is not easy for them. The standard set by Majlinda, Nora and Distria, but also Loriana and Akili, is very high.
It is very high mainly thanks to the work of the master Driton Kuka. Finally, his merits as one of the best coaches in the world for judo have been recognized. If not the best. He has actually been named the best coach of 2021 in the world by the International Judo Federation.
Nora's and Distri's medals, but also Achilles' European gold medal, have fulfilled Driton Kuka as a coach.
"The year 2021 will remain in the history of Kosovo sports for many reasons and many achievements. They are successes that cannot be repeated. We have exceeded all expectations in every aspect", said Kuka.
He singled out the fact that Kosovo was at the top of the European medal table. Also, it was right behind Japan at the Tokyo Games.
"With five competitors, we managed to be declared the best team in the European adult competition, which is something extraordinary. The first European men's title has been achieved, one gold medal missing. In the European, we had two gold and one bronze. Nora's bronze with the correct reference would be gold. Loriana was fifth, while Laura entered the medal zone. Indeed, it has been achieved that Kosovo is ahead of France, Russia and other giants. I haven't even seen it in my dreams", Kuka emphasized.
Coach Pejan also appreciates Nora's medal at the World Cup, while emphasizing the success in Tokyo.
"The peak was definitely at the Olympic Games. Five competitors, two gold medals. I've always said I'd be happy to come back with at least one medal. Again in the standings, Kosovo was second in judo. This makes this year even more magnificent in terms of achievements. If someone asks me what I want, even though I don't do it because it sleeps in my soul, I would like to end my career as a coach, because it is hardly possible to achieve such a thing. It is something extraordinary", says Kuka.
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It was truly an extraordinary year for Kosovar judo. And consequently, an exceptional year for Kosovo's sport in general.
But more successful years await us as far as judo is concerned. The work done in the training sessions led by master Kuka guarantees this.
