The relief was written all over her face: “I’m really happy with today, this European Championship title, my first in the up to 52 kg category, means a lot to me,” beamed Olympic champion Distria KRASNIQI after her second European Championship title since 2021. “The final against Odetta (Giuffrida) was really tough, but I stuck to my tactical plan. Now I’m just happy. My roadmap to the Paris Olympics is going perfectly so far.
Whether the 28-year-old will also be competing at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in mid-May is something she will only decide at short notice. “If you ask me now, I would say that I think I will be at the World Championships. But I don’t want to commit myself just yet.” Krasniqi is also confident when it comes to the recovery of her team-mates Nora Gjakova (-57) and Laura Fazliu (-63, both injured in the thigh): “I’m sure that both of them will be back at the World Championships – they’ve made a very good impression on me in training.”
When it comes to her own form, the world number one is her usual self-critical self: “I would say I’m currently at 70 per cent, tops.” After a short pause, she adds with a wink: “I don’t do 100 per cent. That would be the perfect, flawless Distria. With 95 per cent, I’d be sure of gold in Paris, I’d say.” There are still a good three months to go until Paris.
Author: EJU Media