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| From the left: Driton Kuka, , D'Istria Krasniqi and Nora Gjakova, and Ilir Meta |
Through a solemn ceremony, the President of the Republic, Ilir Meta praised today with the high decoration "Honor of the Nation" the two champion judokas from Kosovo, winners of the "Gold Medal" at the Olympic Games "Tokyo 2020", D'Istria Krasniqi and Nora Gjakova, as well as their coach, Driton ( Toni) Kuka.
The Head of State praised D’Istria Krasniqi, with the motivation: “As a sign of appreciation for the excellent results as the winner of the Gold Medal at the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, in the sport of Judo, showing professional skills and indisputable talent. With gratitude for her passion and dedication, proving rare qualities as a world-class athlete, raising high the national pride.”; as well as Nora Gjakova, with motivation: “As a sign of appreciation for the excellent results as the winner of the Gold Medal at the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, in the sport of Judo. "With gratitude for her talent and personality, which turned her into an example of inspiration for young athletes, raising high the national pride."
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| Nora Gjakova while receaving the medal 'Honor of the Nation' by Albanian President Ilir Meta |
Also, President Meta praised with the Decoration "Honor of the Nation" their coach, Driton (Toni) Kuka, with the motivation: "As a sign of appreciation for the talent and all-round personality shown in sports, by achieving high results in Judo, winning gold medals with his athletes at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics and the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. Acknowledging his work and contribution to the sport of judo, which has become an inspiring example for young people and young women, raising up the national pride”.
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| D'Istria Krasniqi while receaving the medal 'Honor of the Nation' by Albanian President Ilir Meta |
In his greeting speech addressed to the high sports authorities of Kosovo and Albania, the Olympic champion athletes and their families, colleagues and those present at the awards ceremony, President Meta said:
"When Majlinda Kelmendi received the 'Gold Medal' in Rio, all Albanians were excited. It was an extraordinary event, because it was the first time that Kosovo was presented in such an event and very successfully, attracting a lot of attention.
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| Driton Kuka while receaving the medal 'Honor of the Nation' by Albanian President Ilir Meta |
But now, when we have two 'golds' from Tokyo, of course we are not just dealing with an event and an extraordinary talent, as Majlinda Kelmendi was and is, but we are dealing with an extraordinary project, with a continuum and a strategy, with a highly professional but also scientific work.
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to D'Istria Krasniqi, Nora Gjakova and Driton Kuka, three extraordinary personalities and champions, whom today I have the privilege to commend with the High Decoration "Honor of the Nation", for the achievements of great in the sport of judo, for this extraordinary sports diplomacy that you have done, as was the accession and successful presentation of Kosovo in UEFA and FIFA.
These triumphs and 'Gold Medals', have given an excellent contribution to the image of Kosovo, to increase the respect for it in the world even by those countries that have not yet recognized it, because they already know the power and ambition of this country, which is presented with dignity with these 'eagles' like Majlinda Klemendi, D'Istria Krasniqi and Nora Gjakova, as well as the entire excellent judo team, together with the "architect" Driton Kuka.