European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023 - Pristina, Kosovo
Eteri LIPARTELIANI (-57/GEO) is ranked No. 8 in the world. But the 24-year-old had never won a major (Seniors) title before. Her time had finally come at the European Championships Open in Pristina. “When I beat Olympic champion Nora Gjakova in the semi-finals, I knew today was my day. Everything…
16 December 2023European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023 - Pristina, Kosovo
The final block of the European Championships Open in Pristina could not have gone better from a Kosovan perspective. Four of the six finals took place with national participation, and all four ended with victories for the local heroes. The highlight was Akil GJAKOVA’s triumph in the men’s final (-73)…
16 December 2023European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023 - Pristina, Kosovo
The judo tournament premiere becomes a state event. The political leadership of the Republic of Kosovo has announced its attendance at the opening ceremony of the European Championships Open in Pristina, including the final block. EJU Senior Vice President OTTO KNEITINGER and Kosovo Judo Federation President Agron KUKA will welcome…
16 December 2023European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023 - Pristina, Kosovo
The local dream of an all-Kosovan women’s final (-57) at the European Open Championships in Pristina did not materialise. The Olympic champions Nora GJAKOVA and Distria KRASNIQI are in the final block (from 5 pm, live on JUDOTV.com), but will each fight for bronze. Instead, Timna NELSON LEVY (ISR) and…
16 December 2023European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023 - Pristina, Kosovo
Host country Kosovo can dream of a gold medal at the European Championships Open in Pristina. It is not the Olympic champions Nora GJAKOVA or Distria KRASNIQI (both -57, see women’s story), who had high hopes, but former European champion Akil GJAKOVA (-73). The 27-year-old, younger brother of Nora, will…
16 December 2023European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023 - Pristina, Kosovo
Distria KRASNIQI (KOS) has experienced almost everything. The Olympic champion, world number one, four-time Masters winner and former European champion is seeded as number one at the European Championships Open in her home town of Pristina. That wouldn’t be that unusual if it weren’t for two firsts: Distria is competing…
15 December 2023European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023 - Pristina, Kosovo
Nora GJAKOVA (KOS) has been a medal bank for quite a few years. The 31-year-old Olympic champion won her ninth medal at a major event at the beginning of November at the European Championships in Montpellier. On Saturday, she will be aiming for her 10th anniversary medal in front of…
15 December 2023European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023 - Pristina, Kosovo
The final training session at the training centre in Peja takes its usual course for Team Kosovo. Head coach Driton “Toni” KUKA doesn’t let the tension show. “But of course I’m more nervous than usual. I’m not used to being at home the day before an important competition. And my…
15 December 2023European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023 - Pristina, Kosovo
“I am extremely proud that we can finally celebrate the international tournament premiere. Kosovo is ready, and our athletes are ready anyway,” smiles Kosovo Judo Federation President and EJU Executive Committee member Agron KUKA.Kuka took over as national federation president in 2011. At that time, Kosovo did not yet have…
14 December 2023European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023 - Pristina, Kosovo
Many athletes may have wrapped up for the 2023 season, but there is the ultimate event still on the cards in Europe, the European Open Championships and the first of it’s kind with major financial reward for the victors. Two categories, the -57kg women and -73kg men will be the…
14 December 2023European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023 - Pristina, Kosovo
On Saturday (16 December, preliminary round from 10:30 a.m., final block from 5 p.m.) a premiere of a special kind awaits – with the European Championships Open 2023 in PRISTINA (KOS). The format is new: only two weight classes (women: -57 kg, men: -73) will be held. A total of…
12 December 2023
European Judo Championships Open Pristina 2023