Future champions – training at six in the morning under Majlinda's orders

It's 5:40. The sun hasn't risen yet. Three young men, looking full of energy even though it is not yet morning, arrive together at the courtyard of the Ippon Judo Club hall. Talking, even loudly, they enter the building, which, apart from the main hall, also has several secondary spaces. They are not wearing judo uniforms. They are in the usual uniform of sportsmen, with tracksuits.

It doesn't take long and the three energetic young men start fixing the mattresses. They remove them from the side of the hall and place them one on top of the other, in two different places. They are preparing the hall for the training that awaits them.

Other judokas appear in the courtyard of the hall. Some bring their parents in cars, which, like judokas in the hall during training, move at high speed. Others, whose houses are closer, come on foot. Someone alone and someone accompanied. Someone in the mood of someone who has slept less, sleepy.

Some, feeling that they may be late, come in haste. Not even 6:00, the group is complete.

There are 16 in total. Everyone in the hall, ready for action. For real training. Training from champions.

The boys, who are between the ages of 14 and 18, sit in one corner. They talk non-stop. On the other hand, there are girls, who also do not stop talking. The last in the hall that has a second home, or even the first, comes the coach. It's not just any coach. It is Majlinda Kelmendi herself, the best athlete Albanians have had so far. Olympic champion, double world champion, multiple European champion.

The young people, who are all from Peja, are very lucky. They are learning the sport of judo from one of the best in history. From a sports legend that originated in Japan, and in which Kosovo is very successful.

Walking more slowly, Majlinda greets the TIME team and enters the hall. As if automatically, the young judokas line up and get ready to start training. Barefoot, they make the usual salute to respect the coach, which is one of the judo values, and start running.

There's a bit of judo in the 6:00 practice.

The training is oriented to improve the physical side of the youth. Almost everyone already has an athlete's body, a built body. This is clearly observed.

After the usual warm-up, boys and girls are separated. Since the number of girls is greater, one of them, probably the best, joins the group of boys. So the two groups have eight people each.

The first series of ten minutes of running and jumping on mats begins, without stopping. After a short break, the second series begins. Again ten minutes of running and jumping on the mats, one after the other. The training has a specific purpose, increasing the strength in the lower body of future judokas.

The load is heavy and the last few minutes are barely bearable. But no one stops. Neither one gives up. In order to reach the level of Majlinda, Nora Gjakova, Distria Krasniqi, Akil Gjakova, Laura Fazliu, Loriana Kuka, or to get close to him, judokas must endure these trainings. They are aware of this.

Majlinda is not heard much in the first part of the training. He advises young people from time to time. As the minutes pass, the shape of the arrangement of the mats changes and so does the way of jumping on them. After the part of work with jumps is finished, all judokas take part in arranging themselves and returning to the place. The contribution is shared, this is another value of judo.

There is still training. Load as well. The part of climbing on the rope begins, namely on the belt that resembles the judoka's uniform. Boys climb the rope, girls the belt, which seems to be less challenging. Everyone climbs many times. This part of the workout is about strengthening the judoka's upper body. The training continues with exercises sitting on the floor, which also aim to increase strength. At the end there is muscle stretching and leaving the gym. Some who start classes at 7:30 rush home. Others who start school later leave more slowly. Everyone ends the workout very sweaty. This proves that the intended effect has been achieved.

Why at 6:00 in the morning?

Not many people exercise early in the morning at six o'clock. The head coach of Kosovo in judo, master Driton Kuka, in coordination with Majlinda and the other coaches, has decided that this group of cadets and paracadets will have training early in the morning. These young people have different training in the evening, every day.

"These are a group of cadets and paracadets. They start school at 8:00 and are at the age when they should start exercising twice a day. For a while we practiced at 13:30, but together we agreed that it is better at 6:00. There used to be 20-25 people. So there are more than were here. Also due to fasting, some are not coming. There are both boys and girls here who are fasting, but they still don't miss training, so we have enough talent, we are working hard", says Majlinda after the training.

There are other reasons that training is set for 6:00 am. Creating the work habit and regimen required for success at the highest level of sport in the world. So that judokas don't stay up too late at night and therefore with their phones in their hands. Insufficient sleep has a very negative impact on the performance of athletes. Those who wake up before six o'clock, and who have clear goals for sports, consequently fall asleep on time and have no problem respecting the schedule. Even on this principle, it has been decided to train at 6:00.

Majlinda also says that dedication is not lacking.

"I am very pleased. They are really very dedicated. Even when I am abroad, when I travel, 95 percent of them are never absent, which shows that they are very dedicated to the result and it is worth dealing with them", says the judo icon.

She knows best that for ultimate success, overcoming barriers is a prerequisite. They are never missing on the way to the top.

"Yes, if you continue to work, of course there will be results. You just have to not stop, keep working, have a goal, have a goal. It can be seen that almost all of them have it. Here, of course, the head of the work is Tony, we simply follow Tony's orders and I believe that working with Tony's system, of course one day it will be successful, whoever it is," says Majlinda.

As always, I mention the coach, the headmaster Kuka.

Together with the young judokas, Majlinda is also growing. But as a coach. She has finished her amazing career as a judoka in the summer of 2021. She immediately joined Driton Kuka in the technical staff.

"Now, in the last year, I have adapted quite well. It has not been easy at all. Really, pretty hard work. I thought it was easy, but it turned out quite differently. But, this last year I have adapted very well, especially with this group of juniors and cadets, very, very well", says Majlinda.

Judoka's dreams

If they adhere to the work system and resist the loads and external influences, great champions will emerge from this group of judokas. Majlinda is convinced of this.

Young people have big dreams and goals related to judo

"I'm Jon Kuka, I've been practicing judo for 8 years. I've been exercising twice a day for a year now. We practice from 6 in the morning because we start school at 8 in the morning. Sometimes we are lazy, but we have a lot of discipline and every day we exercise at 6 in the morning".

Joni is the master's son. He also dreams of football, where great talent is also appreciated, but he is gradually focusing on judo, the family sport.

"Training is going very well. We exercise twice a day. At six in the morning because of school and at 18:30 in the evening. We try to get up early in the morning, but we have a lot of discipline and we have to continue training", says Yll Maliqi, who is rated as having potential.

Roni Reshitaj is another promising judoka.

"I'm Roni Reshitaj, I practice judo. Normally, we exercise twice a day. We train at 06:00 and at 18:30. We practice in the morning because of school, which we start at 08:00. Training is going very well. We are happy. The training sessions are a bit difficult, but we are happy to train with a very good coach".

Fiona is the daughter of master Toni Kuka. She has already started with success in international competitions, as have several others from this 6:00 am group. Fiona has also been exercising for a long time, but recently she has started to get into "serious waters". Fiona admits it is a privilege to train with Majlinda and her father's system.

"I'm Fiona Kuka, I've been practicing judo since the age of 5, almost 11 years. We are very privileged to train with coaches like Majlinda Kelmendi and Driton Kuka, who have achieved outstanding results in the sport of judo. We as cadets and young judokas are very privileged to practice with them. We practice in the morning from 06:00. Even though it is a bit troublesome and a bit of a problem sometimes to wake up at 05:30 and come to training, but we do it with all the fun. We all love judo and want to achieve great results. We also have afternoon training at 18:30 p.m. and that's it. We enjoy judo as a sport and we do it with pleasure".

When asked about goals, Fiona mentions Majlida, Distri, Nora. What athlete does not want their successes, the Olympic gold medal?

"My goals, normal I think for everyone, is to achieve great results in judo, like Majlinda, Distria, Nora. We all like to have their results", she says.

Erlule Musaj has also started with appearances in competitions of a more serious level.

"I am Erlule Musaj. I have been practicing judo for almost 6 years. My aim is to achieve the successes of our coach, Majlinda Kelmendi, as well as Disi e Nora".

Estea Arifaj also has big goals, for which she knows she has to work hard.

"My name is Estea Arifaj. I have been practicing judo for almost 6 years. Also, my main goal is to achieve culminating results like Majlinda Kelmendi, Nora Gjakova and Distria Krasniqi", says Estea.

Joni, Ylli, Roni, Fiona Erlulja, Estea and others have the model. They see it every day, they learn from it every day. It remains for them to continue with hard work and endure intense training. Those at 6:00 as well. And one day the families, but also all of Kosovo, will be proud of their achievements.