Majlinda Kelmendi made history at the Rio Games as she took gold in judo to become the first athlete from Kosovo to win an Olympic medal.
"I thought I would never see this day because I thought I would die in the 1999 war."
Majlinda Kelmendi won Kosovo's first ever Olympic gold medal at its maiden Games on Sunday (Aug 7) and the judoka will be thanked for a very long time for helping put her country's name on the international map.
The 25-year-old sank to her knees in tears after beating Italy's Odette Giuffrida by yuko in the women's 52kg final. She ran to hug a small group of supporters chanting "Kosovo, Kosovo!"
"I have always wanted to show the world that Kosovo is not just a country that has gone through war," she said with the Kosovo flag draped around her shoulders.
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 - whose forces fought to stop breakaway rebels in 1998-99 - and has since had its own scrap for recognition.
Every sign of statedom counts. And the Balkans war child faced so much spotlight in the months leading up to Kosovo's Olympic debut that she went into hiding with her coach to train.
She emerged to show her pride carrying the Kosovo flag at the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday. "This medal means a lot, not only for Kosovo's sport, but for all Kosovo as a country.
"I thought I would never see this day because I thought I would die in the 1999 war."
Majlinda Kelmendi won Kosovo's first ever Olympic gold medal at its maiden Games on Sunday (Aug 7) and the judoka will be thanked for a very long time for helping put her country's name on the international map.
The 25-year-old sank to her knees in tears after beating Italy's Odette Giuffrida by yuko in the women's 52kg final. She ran to hug a small group of supporters chanting "Kosovo, Kosovo!"
"I have always wanted to show the world that Kosovo is not just a country that has gone through war," she said with the Kosovo flag draped around her shoulders.
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 - whose forces fought to stop breakaway rebels in 1998-99 - and has since had its own scrap for recognition.
Every sign of statedom counts. And the Balkans war child faced so much spotlight in the months leading up to Kosovo's Olympic debut that she went into hiding with her coach to train.
She emerged to show her pride carrying the Kosovo flag at the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday. "This medal means a lot, not only for Kosovo's sport, but for all Kosovo as a country.
