DOHA (Qatar): Kosovo’s Distria Krasniqi lived up to her billing as a top-seeded judoka in the women’s -48Kg category by winning gold on the opening day of the three-day International Judo Federation’s (IJF) Doha Masters.
On Monday at the Lusail Sports Arena, two other judokas from the small south-eastern European country finished on the podium — Majlinda Kelmendi won bronze in the -52 kg women’s category and Nora Gjakova came third in -57kg.
As the world No. 1 rank against her name, Krasniqi had additional pressure on her shoulders.
“I am delighted to win my third gold at the Masters. I am feeling very excited about it,” the 25-year-old told KHEL UPDATES.
On her way to the final, she had a flawless run against Marusa Stangar of Slovenian, Catarina Costa of Portugal and Melanie Clement (France).
My Aim is to win a gold in Tokyo Olympics: Krasniqi
In the final, Krasniqi outwitted Japan’s Funa Tonaki to win her third gold medal at the Masters. Daria Bilodid of Ukaraine and Urantsetseg Munkhbat of Mongolia finished third.
Krasniqi said her next target will be to win a gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
“My aim will be to win a gold at the Olympics. I will be training very hard and will look to get a medal in Tokyo,” she said.
Krasniqi gave full credit to her long-time serving coach Driton Kuka for the success she has attained over the years.
“We have a very good coach. He has given everything for the sport. He has kept us together and we train very hard to achieve the success under his guidance over the years,” she added.
In October 2020, she won gold at the Hungary Grand Slam and at Paris Grand Slam in February the same year she walked away with the top prize.
“Work hard to achieve your dreams and not to give up. Even though we are a small country we can achieve big things,” she said, when asked what advise she will give to her fans back home in her country.
Two of Krasniqi compatriots, who won medals on Monday agreed.
“We do not have a physio or any other support staff accompanying us, he (Kuka) is everything rolled into one,” said Kelmendi, who claimed a bronze in -52KG category.
We are a small but a strong country, says Kosovo coach
Two-time Olympian, Kelmendi hosting the distinction of being the first Kosovan athlete to win a medal at the Olympic Games when she claimed gold in the women’s −52 kg category at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Coach Kuka said it was a ‘perfect day’ for his country.
“Three athletes three medals, it was perfect day. We are a small but a strong country,” said Kuka, who has been training the medal winning trio since 1999.
Besides Kosovo, France and Japan took a gold medal each for the women and both male gold medals went to Korea on a day where medal contests were held in five categories, three for women and two for men.
At the end of day one, 12 countries finished on the podium.
