First time under the Kosovo flag: Majlinda Kelmendi won gold in Rio

Judoka Majlinda Kelmendi wrote the history of Kosovo's sports, winning the first gold medal for Kosovo in its debut at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, reports the Patria news agency.

She celebrated in the final in the category up to 52 kilograms, defeating Italian competitor Odette Giuffrida.

Bronze medals were won by Russia's Natalia Kuziutina and Japan's Misato Nakamura.

Al Jazeera reporter Dušan Hadži Nikolić reports from Rio de Janeiro that Kelmendi's victory was expected for the two-time world champion, who carried the flag of Kosovo at the opening of the Olympic Games.

Four years ago, Kelmendi (25) competed at the Olympic Games in London under the flag of Albania, but did not win a medal.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, and was admitted to the International Olympic Committee in 2014, so the Rio Games are the first in which athletes from Kosovo are competing under their own flag. Kosovo is participating in the Olympic Games for the first time with eight athletes in five sports.

Source: Al Jazeera