Kosovo’s judo coaching ranks have received a critically important boost with the addition of Olympic champion Majlinda Kelmendi, who chose to remain in her home country despite lucrative offers from abroad.
A Champion’s Choice: Staying Home to Shape Future Judo Stars
The Rio 2016 gold medalist turned down opportunities with salaries reaching €15,000 to nurture the next generation of Kosovar judokas.
- Majlinda Kelmendi began her coaching career in the summer of 2021, shortly after retiring as a competitive judoka.
- She declined coaching offers from the United Arab Emirates, prioritizing her commitment to Kosovo.
- Kelmendi emphasizes the importance of patience and dedication in developing young athletes.
- Her success helped Kosovo gain recognition from the International Olympic Committee.
Majlinda Kelmendi’s decision to stay in Kosovo and dedicate herself to coaching demonstrates a deep commitment to her community and the future of judo in the nation. The two-time world champion and four-time european titleholder began her coaching journey in the summer of 2021, just months after concluding her illustrious competitive career.
Head coach Driton Kuka and the athletes alike highly value her experience.Kelmendi received offers from abroad, including a ample proposal from the United Arab Emirates with a salary ranging from €10,000 to €15,000. Despite the financial incentives, she opted to remain in Kosovo, prioritizing her connection to family, community, and the chance to train young athletes.
“Being a coach is a wholly different task,” Kelmendi explained. “Now I have more duty and sometiems have to motivate the children more than they do themselves, but that is part of the challenge. I am very happy to be able to work with Toni and the team.”
A Historic Legacy
Kelmendi’s impact extends beyond her athletic achievements. Her gold medal victory at the Rio
