Former Olympic Champion Nora Gjakova announced on Dec 31, 2025 that she had officially retired from competition. In addition to her Olympic gold, Gjakova also has a European Championship gold, eight IJF World Tour golds, and a World Championship bronze. We spoke to her about life after competition and her outlook for the year ahead.
Q: Your last competition was the 2025 Paris Grand Slam. Why did you wait literally until the last day of the year to announce your retirement?
A: After the Paris Grand Slam, I realized that I didn’t want to compete anymore. I couldn’t wait to go back home and make it official, but my coach told me that I should give myself some time and reflect about this decision. So, I waited.
Q: What made you feel that way?
A: I had a rough year preparing for the Olympics because I had a big injury five months before. To get back in shape, I had to train up to six hours every day and this drained me, both mentally and physically but more mentally. It didn’t really impact me so much in the lead up to the Olympics. But after the Olympics, when I started training again, that’s when I really felt it. I felt I no longer love what I’m doing. I kept questioning myself: “Why am I doing this again?” I never had such thoughts before but suddenly I was overthinking everything. After winning a medal at the Paris Grand Slam, I felt I really didn’t need to prove myself anymore. I just wanted to stop. I didn’t have any injuries. I was in good physical condition but I just didn’t have the will to continue.
Q: As a competitor, you trained two or three times a day. Now, as a coach, you train your athletes two or three times a day. Do you actually have more free time to do other things?
A: Of course, coaching takes up a lot of time. I think the difference is that whatever free time I have, I am more relaxed and feel less pressured than I did when I was an athlete. I can actually be more productive during such times and do other things. That wasn’t the case when I was competing.
Q: Are there any big changes in your life now that you’re retired from competing?
A: I live in a small city, so it’s pretty hard to have big changes. Besides coaching, which is two or three times a day, I do my own training in the gym or go running. I also spend some time studying and of course spending time with friends and family.
Q: Do you still do randori?
A: No, I rarely do it. It makes me emotional. It’s sort of like I’m still in a grieving period. I do miss judo training but more than that, I miss training with a purpose. This might sound strange but I even miss waking up early and making weight for competition.
Q: You were trained under a system developed by your coach. Are you following the exact same playbook when you coach your athletes?
A: I follow my coach’s system. Even if I could choose another training system, I would still choose ours. I believe in our system and I love the way how we are taught judo. The Kosovo judo system is very centralized and tough. There is a lot of focus on technical development and kumi-kata (gripping). Everything is planned by the head coach Driton Kuka. You have to be well-prepared physically, and be consistent and disciplined to excel under this system.
Q: Your coach was known to be very strict. How about you?
A: I’m strict too when it comes to the training program. I expect the athletes to be disciplined and come to training focused and ready to do the job. But I think perhaps I’m a bit more understanding.
Q: You started at a time when Kosovo’s judo was still at its infancy. Can you describe how the judo scene has changed since?
A: I used to train in a small dojo with no heating and sometimes no electricity. We had no gym so we kept our equipment in our dressing room. We didn't have a lot of training partners. Just two or three players doing randori together. Now it has changed from a local sport to a well-organized and internationally successful system. We have better facilities, better funding and more opportunities for education not just competition. So yeah, it has changed a lot.
Q: What are your personal and professional goals for 2026?
A: My personal goal is to be more present, to experience new places and cultures, and to discover my identity outside of judo. Professionally, I’m working towards finishing my master’s degree in Sports Science, Health and Physical Activity. I’m open to new opportunities and sharing my knowledge of judo outside of Kosovo. This could be in the form of doing clinics and seminars, or even working as a coach in a new country.
