The Kosovo Olympic Committee (KOC) has announced the best athletes of 2024, as well as the best national teams for men and women, in a special ceremony.

The best athlete of 2024 was Akil Gjakova from the sport of judo. He was very close to winning a medal at the Olympic Games in Paris but was stopped in the fight for the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, the best female athlete of last year was declared judoka Distria Krasniqi, who won the silver medal in Paris, thus becoming the first female athlete with two Olympic medals.

After accepting the award, Akil Gjakova said that his successes come due to hard work, while he dedicated the award to his judo coach, Fatos Tabaku.

Gjakova: My results are not a coincidence

“My results are not just a coincidence, but come from hard work, from a school, and an education that my family has given me, with great consistency….Tonight I want to thank a special person, he is a person who has endorsed me since I was little, and he is Fatos Tabaku”, emphasized Gjakova.

Meanwhile, Distria Krasniqi said that she has already started working for her third Olympic medal, which she aims to win at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.

Krasniqi: Every Olympic medal is worth its weight in gold

“For me, every Olympic medal is worth its weight in gold. So this is the second time I am winning an Olympic medal, and I am very proud of myself… I have already started preparing for Los Angeles, at the beginning of February I was in Paris, where it was the first competition after the Olympic Games, and I won the bronze medal. I am feeling very motivated to win my third medal at the Olympic Games”, said Krasniqi.

The President of the Kosovo Olympic Committee, Ismet Krasniqi, on this occasion emphasized that the year 2024 was extremely successful for Kosovo sports, while adding that these successes are being achieved and marked by those who are putting the interest of the homeland before everything.

Krasniqi: Successes in sports come from those who put the interest of the homeland before everything else

“The year we left behind has been full of emotions, with tireless commitment, and above all, with achievements that will forever remain marked in the history of Kosovo’s sports. Our athletes have shown that there is no limit to talent and passion, achieving extraordinary results, not only at the national level, but also in the international arena. The Olympic medals won at the Olympic Games, ‘Paris 2024’, with Distria Krasniqi and Laura Fazliu, the successes in the world and European championships, are proof of the tireless efforts of those who have always put the interest of the homeland before everything else”, emphasized Krasniqi.

Among other awards, in team sports, the best national team among women was declared the Kosovo National Handball Team, while in the men’s category, the best was declared the Kosovo National Football Team.

The special award for great contribution to the image of Kosovo in the men’s category was awarded to the Kosovo National Football Team player, Edon Zhegrova, while in the women’s category this award went to the judoka Laura Fazliu.

Meanwhile, the best coach of the year was declared Driton Kuka from the sport of judo.