Driton Kuka reflects on family sacrifices behind Kosovo’s Olympic success

As the qualification cycle for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games begins, legendary Kosovo judo coach Driton Kuka has reflected on the personal cost of the success that has helped place Kosovo among the world’s sporting elite.

The coach who guided Kosovo to five Olympic medals across three editions of the Games admitted that sporting glory has come with major family sacrifices, constant pressure, and profound emotional challenges, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Kuka said the greatest sacrifice of his career has been his family. Due to his work, he has often spent up to 200 days a year away from home and expressed particular regret about the time missed with his eldest daughter. Today, he is trying to spend more time with his family by delegating responsibilities to members of his coaching staff.

The renowned coach also spoke about the emotional difficulty of seeing his champions retire. Having trained them from childhood, he says their departures feel like losing members of his own family.

“For me, it is very difficult. Majlinda came when she was nine years old, Nora when she was seven, Distria when she was six, and Akil as well. All of them spent more time with me than with their parents. It is very emotional, but I am happy to support them wherever life takes them. They will always have my support because they deserve it. They made enormous sacrifices for these results,” Kuka said.

Reflecting on the greatest moments of his career, Kuka highlighted Kosovo’s Olympic medals, especially the first gold medal and the successes at the Tokyo Olympics. He described the emotions as indescribable and overwhelming.

According to Kuka, the adrenaline is so intense that he often struggles to remember the exact moments of victory, comparing the experience to watching a film. The achievements are even more meaningful because he helped build his athletes from beginners wearing white belts into Olympic champions.

The coach also stressed that coaches themselves need psychological support, arguing that the pressure and emotions surrounding major competitions can be extremely difficult to handle alone.

“Many people think athletes need mental support and mental health experts. Believe me, it is difficult for coaches too. Very difficult, especially in my case, where the entire nation is watching me at every Olympic Games. It is not easy to deal with that pressure,” he said.

Kuka revealed that he was under immense stress before the Paris 2024 Olympics and that Olympic champion Majlinda Kelmendi tried to protect him from additional pressure. He added that having her by his side in Paris was a great source of comfort.

The veteran coach admitted that he is “addicted” to the adrenaline of success and the pressure that comes with elite competition. He views it as an inseparable part of his identity and has no desire to step away from it.

He compared his work to building a Ferrari from scratch, creating Olympic champions through total dedication and attention to every detail, always pursuing perfection and Olympic medals.

Despite his image as a disciplined and demanding coach, Kuka acknowledged a more emotional side of his personality. He admitted that he often experiences doubts and internal struggles but keeps them hidden behind his professional discipline.

Ultimately, he said that every sacrifice becomes worthwhile when his athletes succeed and the Kosovo flag is raised on the world stage.

In a world where hundreds of coaches across more than 200 countries pursue the same Olympic dream, Driton Kuka continues to carry the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders.

Photo: European Judo Union