On this day in 2012, a significant milestone was achieved for Kosova’s judo enthusiasts. The Kosova Judo Federation, tasked with overseeing judo within Kosova, was formally accepted into the International Judo Federation (IJF) on April 10th, 2012, as per the decision of its Executive Committee. Established in 1951 and based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the IJF serves as the global governing body for the sport of judo, uniting over 200 national judo federations from every continent. Its primary responsibilities include setting the standards for international competitions and organizing prestigious events such as the World Championships and the World Judo Tour, which features four Grand Slams and five Grand Prix.

The inclusion of Kosova in the IJF, alongside its membership in the International Olympic Committee, paved the way for remarkable achievements by athletes like Olympic Gold Medalists Majlinda Kelmendi, Distria Krasniqi, Nora Gjakova, and European Championship gold medalist Akil Gjakova, among others.

To this day, Kosova has secured two gold and five bronze medals at World Championships, in addition to claiming over ten Grand Slam titles across gold, silver, and bronze categories. Moreover, Kosovar judokas have won numerous medals in all three categories at Grand Prix events. Membership in such an international federation not only facilitates participation in global competitions but also provides Kosovan athletes the opportunity to demonstrate their talent on the world stage, compete at the highest level, and realize their full potential. These achievements not only fill their supporters with pride but serve as a source of inspiration for many.