RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Go gold or go home.
Majlinda Kelmendi won Kosovo's first Olympic medal on Sunday, taking gold in the women's 52-kilogram judo division.
The top-ranked Kelmendi, the young country's best-known athlete, was the favorite heading into the competition. She scored only once against Odette Giuffrida in the final, but it was enough to beat the Italian.
After her victory was announced, Kelmendi hugged Giuffrida and then walked off the mat in tears. Wearing a blue uniform — one that matched some of the Kosovo flags being waved in the arena — a teary Kelmendi waved to the crowd and raised her arms.