Life goes on, it’s normal. People work and the best are rewarded. Ok, it is true that everyone talks about other things, specifically one that is happening in Eastern Europe and that also makes sense. We do, but we can’t stop talking about our family and its best elements, because if we abandon our routine and our trade, then nothing is worth it anymore.
It happened a few days ago, simultaneously in several countries. Judo, as usual, was awarded prizes to the best athletes of the year, men and women who, due to their talent and effort, shone on the international scene and brought glory and fame to their nations. We are talking about the Olympic and World Games, we are talking about the best of sport, the titles that make the difference between the elect and the rest. That deserves an award!
In Kosovo, a country settled in the elite of judo, Distria Krasniqi, Olympic champion in -48 Kg and Akil Gjakova, European champion, were awarded the prizes for the best athletes of the year and from here we announce it; While we are proud of Kosovar judo, other sports should raise the bar because judo wins every award every year and even if it deserves it, we don’t want to be called bullies. Also, Driton Kuka went home with the best trainer award and we’re sure he doesn’t have a lot of free shelf space in his house anymore because he wins the same award every year.
Distria Krasniqi
Jorge Fonseca, the graceful -100 Kg world champion, snatched the glory from an Olympic champion in athletics, which says a lot about the feat achieved by the Portuguese fighter. He is the best athlete of the year because, to give you an idea, his judo is even better than his dance.
jorge fonseca
The Czech Republic has had a boss since 2016. His name is Lukas Krpalek and he is a two-time Olympic champion, champion in two different categories and, with these credentials, let’s see who wins the award for the best athlete of the year in his country, nobody else, of course.
In the same way, no one can be surprised that in France and Japan they have awarded Clarisse Agbegnenou and Shohei Ono, as best athlete of the year for her and for him, best male athlete. These two are wonders, the other candidates have a really difficult challenge to try to supplant them.
Separate mention deserves the Georgians Eteri Liparteliani and Lasha Bekauri, in a small country that is one of the bastions of world judo. Eteri is the face of female success in a country where judo is eminently male. Lasha is the Olympic champion in -90 Kg, the golden banner of a country that, together with the Czech Republic of Krpalek, knew how to snatch a few minutes of glory from Japan.
Lasha Bekauri
All this has immense merit because there are hundreds of countries and hundreds of sports. Judo is still there, at the top, rubbing shoulders with the best, because when it comes to work and sacrifice, hardly anyone is up to us.
SOURCE: IJF
PHOTOS: IJF/ Gabriela Sabau / Emanuele Di Feliciantonio
