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By:
Faton Polisi
- November 6, 2023 00:45
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"Congratulations champions". This is how a citizen who was driving near the Kosovo border with North Macedonia greeted the Kosovo judo team on Sunday night.
After thanking the citizen for the congratulation, the members of the team led by master Driton Kuka began to talk about the recent success achieved in the European Championship held in Montpellier, France.
At the weekend, Kuka's students won a total of four European medals in France, the country where next year the "Paris 2024" Olympic Games will be held.
Distria Krasniqi won silver medals, while Nora Gjakova, Akil Gjakova and Laura Fazliu won bronze medals.
Coach Kuka highly appreciated the success achieved in Montpellier.
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"We were lucky in France, since out of six competitors, four medals is the biggest result ever achieved in European championships. We have also won gold medals, but numerically we have never won four medals. An extraordinary performance, an extremely strong championship, because it was held in France, a country that participated with the first team and also almost all teams were mobilized, because the Olympic points are also important. I expected that we will return with a medal or two, but four medals is an achievement that even I did not expect", said Kuka during the interview given to TIME shortly after the judo team crossed the border between North Macedonia and Kosovo.
"This is the best result for me as a coach, even though in Kosovo they always think that gold is needed. But I said that in elite competitions such as the European, World or Olympic Games, even bronze is gold for a country like Kosovo. The three Olympic gold medals and the world gold medals, I can say that this is the greatest result in judo".
Kuka is very happy about the medal won by Akili and Laura. Both competed on Saturday. Coach Kuka insists that the judokas have exceeded his expectations.
"They have gone beyond what I expected, so I am extremely pleased. Our work has been fulfilled with this competition, so that next year we can return from the Olympic Games with medals, which would be a miracle for our country".
The headmaster believes that even from Paris, Kosovo will return with medals. According to him, a medal would be a great achievement from the Olympic Games.
"I believe we will return with medals. Even a medal would be very big for Kosovo from the Olympic Games. Four rates are certain, I believe that even Loriana will return to her form and I believe that we will have five rates for Paris 2024", said Toni Kuka.
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Akil Gjakova expressed his satisfaction with the medal. He has recently found form after a barren spell.
"Considering that I haven't won a medal in almost two years, I've come back from injury and leveled up. The medal came at the right time as in Abu Dhabi where I won 700 points and now also the European medal which means a lot for my career. It is the second medal and I am very satisfied and I hope to do well on the way to the Olympics", said Gjakova.
His sister, Nora, says the next big goal is an Olympic medal.
"My goal is the medal at the Olympic Games, this is what we are preparing for. This competition was preparation for other competitions and valid for the Olympic Games and tells us about the situation we have", said the winner of the Olympic gold medal in "Tokyo 2020".
Even the other Olympic champion, Distria Krasniqi, expects to return with medals from the next Olympics.
"This medal shows that I am ready for the Olympic Games. I hope to have the same appearance as in Tokyo", said Disi.
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Laura Fazliu is also waiting for other medals from the big events.
"I set out with the goal of winning the gold, but sometimes things don't go as you want. But a medal is a medal and I am also very satisfied with the bronze", said Fazliu.
