Her gold medal match was against Odette Giuffrida of Italy. Kelmendi had fought and beaten the Italian three times in 2014, but just the year before she had lost to Giuffrida at the 2013 European Championships in Budapest.
The young Italian had done remarkably well to make it all the way to the final of the Olympic Games, so she was not someone to be taken lightly.
Kuka reminded Kelmendi that Giufridda was an explosive fighter who could attack very suddenly. Sure
enough, Giuffrida took the first initiative
and did a risky direct attack tani-otoshi,
which had worked well for her earlier in her preliminary round match against Mareen Kraeh of Germany.
Mindful of her coach's words, Kelmendi was ready for this and countered Giuffrida with her favourite uchimata. It only score yuko, but it was enough to win her the match
and bring home the gold for Kosovo.