Judoists, the most convincingly ranked athletes in the country

The preliminary categorization list of Kosovar athletes and coaches was published on Thursday.

As expected, judo tops the list, with a whopping 21 athletes categorized. Olympic silver medalist Distria Krasniqi is first on the list with 90 points. Krasniqi won silver at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Laura Fazliu also returned from Paris with an Olympic bronze medal. Fazliu has 80 points, while Akil Gjakova is categorized with 60 points. Nora Gjakova and Loriana Kuka follow with 40 points each, while Erza Muminović and Fatjona Kasami with 30 points each. Flaka Loxha, Dardan Cena, Dion Sharapolli, Debora Gjakova, Shpati Zekaj and Muhamedin Veseli have 20 points each. Anes Veseli, Laurina Gashi and Furkan Kelmendi have 15 points, while Rrezarata Alimi, Ujves Mesini and Enise Zijade have 10 points each. 
The list of 21 categorized judokas is closed by Blin Kuka and Sidorela Dodaj with 6.25 points each.

Karate has ten categorized athletes, while at the top is the World runner-up, Islam Selmani, with 49 points.

Taekwondo also has 10 athletes categorized. Blerton Ademi was awarded 25 points by the categorization commission of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Kickboxing is represented by nine athletes, while the highest ranked with 17.5 points each are Artor Mehmeti and Gëzim Morina.

Donjeta Sadiku, Bashkim Bajoku, Shpëtim Bajoku and Riad Isugi are categorized by boxing. Donjeta has 60 points, Bashkimi 30, Shpëtim 20, and Riad 6.25. 

Wrestling and bodybuilding are also represented on the list with four athletes each. Aeronautics has three, while "muay-thai" has two, athletics, basketball, badminton, bowling, cycling, handball, swimming, table tennis, skiing, tennis, kayaking, football, triathlon. Motorcycling, gymnastics, and motorsports are represented with one athlete each.

Judo also has five categorized coaches, while the uncontested, with a total of 260.625 points, the first on the list is Driton Kuka. Mustafë Veseli has ten and Majlinda Kelmendi 8.125 points. Anton Cena and Blerand Begu have five points each.

Karate has a total of eight categorized coaches, while at the top of the list is Isak Curri with 24.5 points.

Marjola Sallauka leads the list of boxing coaches with 30 points. Besim Brahimi is second with 25 points, and Shëmsedin Tahiri with 3.125 points. Other sports also have categorized coaches.

The criteria for categorizing athletes and coaches are medals in competitions, starting from the Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships, Mediterranean Games and Championships, Balkan Championships and Kosovo Championships.

At the state level, the criterion for categorizing athletes and coaches is declaring them the best of the year among seniors.

The categorization determines the state's support for athletes. The more points, the greater the support.