Majlinda Kelmendi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Majlinda Kelmendi
PMM

Personal information
Nationality	Kosovan Albanian
Born	(1991-05-09) 9 May 1991 (age 34) Peja, SFR Yugoslavia (present-day Kosovo)
Died	Not recognized as a date. Years must have 4 digits (use leading zeros for years < 1000). (aged Error: Need valid year, month, day)
Occupation	Judoka
Years active	2009–2021
Height	1.63 m
Other interests
Military career
Allegiance	Albania
Service/branch	Albanian Armed Forces
Years of service	2023–
Rank	Colonel
Sport
Country	Kosovo
Sport	Judo
Weight class	–52 kg
Coached by	Driton Kuka
Achievements and titles
World finals	(2013, 2014)
Regional finals	(2014, 2016, 2017, ( 2019)
Olympic finals	(2016)
Medal record Women's judo Representing the IJF World Championships Gold 2014 Chelyabinsk ‍–‍52 kg European Championships Bronze 2013 Budapest ‍–‍52 kg Representing  Kosovo Olympic Games Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro ‍–‍52 kg World Championships Gold 2013 Rio de Janeiro ‍–‍52 kg Bronze 2019 Tokyo ‍–‍52 kg European Games Gold 2019 Minsk ‍–‍52 kg European Championships Gold 2014 Montpellier ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2016 Kazan ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2017 Warsaw ‍–‍52 kg European U23 Championships Gold 2012 Prague ‍–‍52 kg World Masters Gold 2013 Tyumen ‍–‍52 kg Bronze 2021 Doha ‍–‍52 kg IJF Grand Slam Gold 2014 Paris ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2014 Abu Dhabi ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2015 Paris ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2016 Paris ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2017 Paris ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2019 Düsseldorf ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2019 Abu Dhabi ‍–‍52 kg Silver 2013 Paris ‍–‍52 kg Silver 2018 Abu Dhabi ‍–‍52 kg Bronze 2015 Abu Dhabi ‍–‍52 kg Bronze 2021 Tel Aviv ‍–‍52 kg IJF Grand Prix Gold 2012 Abu Dhabi ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2013 Düsseldorf ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2013 Samsun ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2014 Samsun ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2014 Budapest ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2016 Budapest ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2018 Tashkent ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2019 Tel Aviv ‍–‍52 kg Silver 2011 Düsseldorf ‍–‍52 kg Bronze 2011 Amsterdam ‍–‍52 kg Representing  Albania World Juniors Championships Gold 2009 Paris ‍–‍52 kg European Junior Championships Gold 2009 Yerevan ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2010 Samokov ‍–‍52 kg IJF Grand Prix Gold 2010 Tunis ‍–‍52 kg Gold 2011 Abu Dhabi ‍–‍52 kg
Updated on 21 May 2023.

Majlinda Kelmendi (born May 9, 1991) is a famous former judoka and judo coach from Kosovo. She is also an Albanian citizen.

In 2014, Majlinda became the top-ranked female judoka in the world. On August 7, 2016, she made history. She won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. This was the first Olympic medal ever for Kosovo. Before that, she represented Albania at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Majlinda's Early Life

Majlinda Kelmendi was born on May 9, 1991. Her family was from Kosovo Albanian background. She was born in the city of Peja, which was then part of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Today, Peja is in Kosovo.

Majlinda's Judo Career

Majlinda started her impressive judo journey in 2009. She won a gold medal at the World Junior Championships in Paris. The next year, in 2010, she placed 5th at the World Junior Championships in Morocco. She also finished 9th in her weight class (52 kg) at the 2010 World Judo Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Olympic and World Champion

At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Majlinda competed for Albania. She won her first match but then lost in the second round.

In 2013, Majlinda achieved a huge milestone. She won Kosovo's first-ever judo world title. She beat Brazil's Érika Miranda in the final match of the 52 kg category in Rio de Janeiro. This was a big moment for Kosovo, as it was their first medal since becoming independent in 2008. Majlinda was already ranked number one in her category. She had also won the important 2013 Judo World Masters event.

Majlinda successfully defended her world title in 2014. She did not compete the following year because of an injury.

Continued Success and Olympic Gold

In February 2016, Majlinda won the gold medal at the Paris Grand Slam. This was her third win in a row at this event. Two months later, she won another gold medal at the 2016 European Championships in Russia.

At the 2016 Summer Olympics, Majlinda made history. She became the very first athlete from Kosovo to win an Olympic gold medal. This was also Kosovo's first Olympic medal ever!

Representing Kosovo at the Olympics

Because of some challenges with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United Nations, Majlinda could not represent Kosovo at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The IOC also said no to her request to compete as an independent athlete. So, Majlinda chose to represent Albania. Most people in Kosovo are ethnic Albanians.

In October 2014, the International Olympic Committee officially recognized the Olympic Committee of Kosovo. This meant Kosovo could send its own team to the Olympics. Kosovo then took part in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. This was the country's first time at an Olympic event. Majlinda was chosen to be Kosovo's flag bearer at the opening ceremony. Her gold medal in those games was a truly historic moment for her country.

Later Career Achievements

In 2021, Majlinda won a bronze medal at the 2021 Judo World Masters in Qatar. A month later, she won another bronze medal at the 2021 Judo Grand Slam Tel Aviv in Israel. She also competed in the women's 52 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Majlinda's Medals Record

Majlinda Kelmendi has won many medals throughout her career. Here is a list of some of her major achievements:

See also

In Spanish: Majlinda Kelmendi para niños