The 25-year-old judoka has put Kosovo firmly on the Olympic map, or should we say mat, after a truly historic display Sunday to earn the independent state its first gold in the first Games athletes have been allowed to compete under the flag.
Kelmendi, who carried the Kosovan flag during Friday’s opening ceremony, defeated Italy’s Odette Giuffrida in a tight -52kg final to write her name into the history books.
It wasn’t a surprise in the sense Kelmendi is the best in the world, and has been for some time, but that doesn’t make the moment any less sweeter for her and the millions of Kosovans watching.
