With three Olympic gold medals from solely two Olympic Video games, Kosovo have grow to be accustomed to the large success of their judo gamers. A kind of who dominated in Tokyo was Distria KRASNIQI, climbing to the highest of the rostrum within the -48kg class, however in Paris, adjustments had been made. It has been simply over 5 months since Krasniqi competed and has now accomplished her season opener within the Mittersill OTC, however earlier than going dwelling she mirrored on her expertise within the French capital.
The distinction was that I used to be extra centered, and I knew already what it meant to be on the Olympics, and sure I took gold however this time I felt I used to be higher ready mentally. Regardless that it was a brand new weight class and the cycle was quick, solely three years, sure possibly somewhat quick for me however I used to be prepared mentally.
Since transferring to the -52kg class, Krasniqi barely missed a beat and rapidly rose on the earth rating checklist to grow to be a entrance runner. Now, Krasniqi might say she was ready mentally, however she can also be one athlete who’s at all times comfy within the heat up.
I’m often like this, I can handle myself and my emotions, in my first Olympics I bear in mind saying to my coach that it didn’t really feel like an Olympics to me, I had this sense that it was identical to a Grand Prix or Grand Slam and I used to be simply having fun with it. I additionally had the identical feeling in Paris, however when it got here to the semi last I used to be actually focussed, after which the ultimate got here very quick.
It got here round after solely ten minutes or one thing like that, I wasn’t centered in any respect, I used to be sleepy, and I used to be calmer than I needs to be! For a cycle we’ve 4 years, and in that point we at all times have a great relaxation earlier than the ultimate, after which in an important competitors we’ve one thing completely different. So we had about three hours relaxation earlier than the semi last, and for me, I feel I fought it like the ultimate. Maybe this was the error that I made on this Olympics, however you understand, that semi last is admittedly necessary too [she laughs] however I gave my all.
Whatever the finish consequence, Krasniqi had managed to rise to the highest of a brand new weight class and make it to a different Olympic last which in itself is a colossal achievement.
It was nice, actually nice, I used to be so centered till then after which I realised I needed to go once more instantly for the ultimate. It’s humorous, I actually needed to struggle towards ABE (Uta, JPN) within the last as a result of I ready lots for her and likewise, I feel I ready extra for her than for others and that wasn’t good, I ought to have been equally ready for all.
On day two of the Paris Olympic Video games, Japan’s tremendous siblings, ABE Uta and Hifumi have been competing to defend their Tokyo titles, however within the opening rounds, shock hit the world as Uta was eradicated.
I used to be within the heat up space and I used to be taking a look at that struggle – Spherical two: ABE Uta (JPN) and Diyora KELDIYOROVA (UZB) – it was going nicely in Abe’s favour, and when that occurred, we have been all in shock, a lot of individuals have been completely satisfied, however I wasn’t. I don’t know what occurred to me however I used to be nearly crying. My coach turned to me and stated it was an enormous likelihood, then he noticed my face and that I used to be not okay, after which I actually had some strain that I needed to take the gold.
This wasn’t only a small change in preparation, for many athletes on this class they might have been making ready for the Tokyo Olympic Champion,
I used to be dreaming of this contest each evening, a last with Abe. I actually wanted to organize extra for her as a result of she wasn’t seeded, it may have even be my first struggle!
How concerning the ambiance? In Tokyo it was the peak of the covid pandemic and it was a polar reverse actuality, a confined expertise for the athletes, nevertheless in Paris, societal norms had returned and the multi-sport occasion felt larger than ever.
For me it was higher, I like an enormous crowd, it’s one of many causes I like the Paris Grand Slam and carry out nicely, it offers me an important feeling to listen to individuals cheering, and I knew that this could solely assist me. After the ultimate I felt somewhat bit dissatisfied, as a result of the struggle was going nicely, I feel it was in my favour till she threw me [she laughs], I made a mistake I shouldn’t have, and I’d skilled to keep away from it however she was phenomenal that day and I feel she deserved it, greater than me and greater than anybody that day.
She (Keldiyorova) beat Abe, Amandine BUCHARD (FRA), she was unstoppable. It was her day and what an important day for her. Like I stated I made that mistake and he or she is a good judoka, she sees the small particulars. After she threw me I misplaced my thoughts, I didn’t know what to do, and the struggle wasn’t good for me after that.
Going dwelling to Kosovo was a special expertise this time round, preventing towards the frustration, however she was helped by her crew.
First I wasn’t so completely satisfied concerning the silver medal however after I spoke with my coach and my crew, they made me realise that I’d taken my second medal and nobody in Kosovo has two Olympic medals. To be the primary one made me actually pleased with myself, it was a special class, nonetheless a last and now I can take pleasure in it extra. At dwelling everybody was completely satisfied, however after Tokyo, I feel they’re solely used to gold medals! Silver and bronze is sweet in fact, they have been nonetheless ready for us to have a good time.
The bronze medal in fact got here from Laura FAZLIU within the -63kg class,
I felt nervous for everybody in my crew, particularly for her, I feel she wasn’t having a great day as a result of if she was, I used to be certain she would take a gold medal, however nonetheless arduous work paid off and I’m so completely satisfied for her. She made a really large sacrifice, she was a child when she got here to us and left her household, she trains so arduous and actually deserves it.
Laura FAZLIU (KOS)
Judoka
Distria Krasniqi
Writer: Thea Cowen
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