Nora Gjakova takes the state reward for the golden medal in Judo European Championship

Today, judoist Nora Gjakova and her trainer, Driton Kuka received state rewards of golden medallion won in the Judo European Championship in the category U-23, which was held on the 14th and 16th November in Wroclaw of Poland.

Rewards were given to them by Minister Memli Krasniqi in a ceremony in MCYS. Based on the Regulation for allocation of state rewards for top athletes, Ms Gjakova received an award of 5 thousand Euros, whereas trainer Mr. Kuka received 2500 Euros.

Minister Krasniqi estimated that Nora Gjakova is one of the most successful athletes of Kosovo, who through her presentations and success together with champion Majlinda Kelmendi and other judoists have contributed to the recognition of Kosovo all over the world.

He stated that now it his personal duty, too, to always stay beside judoists and athletes of Kosovo.

“I have come nearer with the sports, particularly with judo. Our mutual journey, all challenges and top successes will always remain amongst the most beautiful narrations in my life. I must confess that judo in Kosovo remains an example of hard work, discipline and undoubtedly of success”, he stated.

Minister Krasniqi said that great successes in the international arena, achievements with many challenges, often with denial of state representation, are now crowned with one of the greatest successes of the sport of Kosovo, but also of the country in general.

“Now we are part of International Olympic Committee and no one can stop us from being represented as a state. I am very happy that for Olympiad “Rio 2016”, we have our team, a golden team and champion who I really believe shall glare”, Minister Krasniqi said. He added further that this was the year of historical successes for the sports and notified that in the following weeks he will have good news for the internationalization of sports.

Judaist Nora Gjakova said that this medallion is an immense motivation in her goals that together with other judoists and athletes from Kosovo to represent worthily Kosovo in Olympiad.

“I enjoyed the law on sports just as my colleges did, in the end of the year after an injury that lasted about eight months, until I came back in competitions. This is medallion is very important for me as it is the first medallion after the injury, but it is also the first medallion for European official championships, therefore, I am grateful for your hospitality, for the reward and I hope that I will not disappoint you in the future competitions, too”, emphasized Ms Gjakova.

Trainer Driton Kuka recalled the difficulties and challenges he had encountered in the efforts in the way to success and this allocation of rewards, today, according to him completes a chapter of success, bringing one more medallion to the sports of Kosovo.

“We shall not stop our work and success. But now we shall work even harder in our endeavors for the most dignified representation in Olympic Games”.

Mr. Kuka said that besides their work, a great role for their successes came also from the support of the state.

“The vast support that we have from Minister Krasniqi since the beginning of our duty is very important. He was indeed a friend and always a part of the team wherever we went and we shall be together also in the Olympiad”, he stated.

Medal rewards were allocated earlier to Majlinda Kelmendi, Distria Krasniqi and Akil Gjakova.