In a solemn ceremony, AAB College awarded the International Prize for High Achievement in Sport to the European and World judo champion, Majlinda Kelmendi. This prize is awarded to distinguished athletes for outstanding achievements in sport and for winning in international competitions.
On this occasion, the Rector of AAB College, Lulzim Tafa, welcoming those present at the award ceremony, stated that besides the Prize for Achievement in Sport—which today is being awarded to the world judo champion Majlinda Kelmendi—AAB has also established four other International Awards in various fields: the Prize for Scientific Achievements, the Prize for Human Rights, the Prize for Arts and Literature, and the Prize for Democracy and Integration.
“This time, the evaluation committee did not have difficulty making a decision, because we did not need to look for this year’s winner of the AAB Prize for High Achievement in Sports anywhere in the world, in Europe, or in the region, as we found her right here in Kosovo. In fact, for us as a university, it has been a miracle because we found her in our midst—the diligent student of the Faculty of Sports, the world judo champion, Majlinda Kelmendi,” said Rector Tafa.
He added that in the 14 years of AAB College’s operation, many diligent students and professionals in various fields have graduated and are now successfully active in the labor market with competence and professionalism. “For many years, AAB’s women’s team has crowned us with the Kosovo Volleyball Championship trophy. We also have champions in many fields and disciplines, but AAB’s and Kosovo’s greatest success is Majlinda, who excels both as a student and as an athlete,” Rector Tafa emphasized.
Meanwhile, the President of the Olympic Committee of Kosovo, Besim Hasani, congratulated Majlinda Kelmendi on receiving the award, adding that Kosovo’s athletes will participate in the Olympic Games that will be held in Rio de Janeiro. Driton Kukaj, the coach of the world champion Majlinda Kelmendi, said that alongside institutional support and winning the world judo title, another very special event occurred for her after the meeting with AAB College leadership.
The laureate of the International Prize for High Achievement in Sport, Majlinda Kelmendi, thanked AAB College for this award, saying she felt privileged, as previously a prize of this rank at the university had also been awarded to the well-known Albanian writer, Ismail Kadare.
“It is an honor for me to be part of AAB College, the best university in the region. Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to share the knowledge I have in the field of sport in an educational institution—and especially at AAB College, which in every sense is the best university in the region,” said the world judo champion Majlinda Kelmendi.
At the end, Rector Lulzim Tafa presented her with the International Prize for High Achievement in Sport, while the world champion presented Rector Tafa with the gold medal from the World Championship.
Upon receiving the gift, Rector Tafa stated that it was an indescribable emotion because very few universities in the world, and very few rectors, have the privilege of receiving a world championship gold medal from one of their own students.
Majlinda Kelmendi was born on May 9, 1991, in Peja, and is an Albanian judoka.
Majlinda Kelmendi ranked first on the world list of judo athletes of both genders in 2014, with a total of 3750 points. On the official website of the federation, 56 of her international-level victories are listed, placing her among the best judokas in the world since 2006. Her major achievements include:
