Kelmendi secures Kosovo's first Olympic gold medal

Majlinda Kelmendi made history by winning Kosovo's first Olympic Games gold medal in judo's women's 52kg final here on Sunday.

Kosovo is represented at an Olympic Games for the first time in Rio and Kelmendi gave Kosovo a moment to treasure by seeing off Odette Giuffrida of Italy in the final, scoring a yuko for her victory.

Kosovo makes its debut at the Rio Olympic Games, having been officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee in December 2014. Kosovo therefore became the 100th delegation to win an Olympic gold medal.

"I'm so happy for me, for my coach, for all my country. This is the first time that Kosovo is part of the Olympics, and for the first time, I think the gold is huge," said Kelmendi.

"That means a lot. People, especially kids, in Kosovo look to me as a hero. I just proved to them that even after the war, if they want to be Olympic champions, they can be. Even if we come from a small country, poor country."

Misato Nakamura of Japan and Natalia Kuziutina of Russia claimed bronze medals.

On the second day of judo at the Rio Olympic Games, the other gold medal went to Fabio Basile from Italy in the men's 66kg.

The Italian surprised world No.1 An Baul from South Korea halfway through the final with a throw to achieve immediate victory by ippon.

Masashi Ebinuma from Japan and Rishod Sobirov from Uzbekistan won bronze medals. Endit