Welcome home: Kosovo Olympic gold medalists return today

English

Gazeta Express

02/08/2021 11:26

The Government of Kosovo called on citizens to gather today at the main square of capital Pristina to welcome the Judo Olympic Team of Kosovo, following historic victory at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 this month.  

Judokas are expected to return from Japan to Kosovo tonight at around 20:00 after winning two gold medals in Tokyo 2020, Gazeta Express reports.

They will be welcomed with a state ceremony at the International Airport of Pristina and an event will be organised in Pristina’s main square. The Government called on citizens to gather and greet the Kosovo champions. In a Facebook post the Government wrote: “After hystoric triumph in Tokyo, our golden girls return tonight in Kosovo. You are invited tonight at 20:30 at the Zahir Pajaziti Square in Pristina to celebrate the great victory.”

Kosovo won two gold medals in Tokyo, bringing the total of three golds claimed in Olympic Games, after historic first medal of Judoka Majlinda Kelmendi in Kosovo’s first time participation in Olympic Games Rio 2016.

Distria Krasniqi won the gold medal beat after beating Funa Tonaki of Japan in the women’s 48-kilogram judo final at the Tokyo Games on 24 July. Nora Gjakova granted Kosovo second Olympic gold medal in the women’s -57 kg weight division last Monday, beating Sarah-Leonie Cysique of France in the final.

Kosovo sent only 11 athletes at the Olympics in Tokyo, and of them six were with Olympic norm. Considering small number of athletes, Kosovo scored excellent results in the second ever Olympic games following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to recognise the Kosovo Olympic Committee in 2014. /GazetaExpress/