10 Facts About Majlinda Kelmendi

In 2014, Majlinda topped the IJF Women's Prestige World Ranking List.

Majlinda Kelmendi was born on 9 May 1991 into a Kosovo Albanian family in the city of Peja, then part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, present-day Kosovo.

Majlinda Kelmendi was the cousin of the late Labinot Harbuzi, a Swedish footballer of Kosovan descent, who died in October 2018 after a cardiac arrest at age 32.

In 2009, Majlinda Kelmendi won the gold medal at the World Junior Championships in Paris.

Majlinda Kelmendi defeated Jaana Sundberg in the first round of the 2012 Olympics but then lost to Christianne Legentil in the second round.

Majlinda Kelmendi did not defend her title the following year due to injury.

Majlinda Kelmendi chose to represent Albania, as the vast majority of Kosovars are ethnic Albanians.

Majlinda Kelmendi was Kosovo's flag bearer during the Parade of Nations of the opening ceremony in Rio.

Majlinda Kelmendi is a citizen of Albania and has an Albanian passport.

Majlinda Kelmendi competed in the women's 52 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.