Competitive Record
Major Golds
Olympic Games
Athlete of the Year
Career Medals
Career Span
Olympic Campaigns
From debut to destiny — every Games tells a story
Tokyo 2020
Tokyo, Japan
Akil's Olympic debut at the delayed Tokyo Games. He entered as a rising star in the 73kg division and fought through to the quarterfinals before being eliminated. The experience of competing at the highest level fueled his determination.
Served as Kosovo's flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony alongside sister Nora — the first sibling pair to carry their nation's flag together at an Olympics.
Paris 2024
Paris, France
At his second Olympics, Akil delivered his best Olympic performance. He reached the quarterfinals and fought for bronze, narrowly missing the podium with a 5th-place finish — the closest a Gjakova brother has come to Olympic glory.
Once again chosen as Kosovo's flagbearer with Nora, making them the only sibling duo to serve as joint flagbearers at two consecutive Olympic Games.
LA 2028
Los Angeles, USA
The ultimate goal. At 32, Akil will be competing at his third Olympic Games — the culmination of a career built on resilience, family, and the pursuit of Kosovo's first male Olympic judo medal.
Medal Record
European Championships
Montpellier
European Championship
73kg
Mediterranean Games
Oran
Mediterranean Games
73kg
Grand Slam Paris
Paris
Grand Slam
73kg
Grand Slam Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Grand Slam
73kg
Grand Slam Antalya
Antalya
Grand Slam
73kg
Grand Slam Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Grand Slam
73kg
Grand Slam Antalya
Antalya
Grand Slam
73kg
Grand Slam Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Grand Slam
73kg
Grand Slam Paris
Paris
Grand Slam
73kg
Grand Slam Tokyo
Tokyo
Grand Slam
73kg
Grand Slam Baku
Baku
Grand Slam
73kg
Grand Slam Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Grand Slam
73kg
Grand Slam Antalya
Antalya
Grand Slam
73kg
Grand Prix Montreal
Montreal
Grand Prix
73kg
Grand Prix Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Grand Prix
73kg
Grand Prix Budapest
Budapest
Grand Prix
73kg
European Championships
Sofia
European Championship
73kg
European Championships
Lisbon
European Championship
73kg
European U-23 Championships
Tel Aviv
European U-23
73kg
European U-23 Championships
Zagreb
European U-23
73kg
Journey
Started judo at age 6
Began training at Ippon Judo Club in Peja under coach Driton Kuka, alongside sister Nora.
Started judo at age 6
Began training at Ippon Judo Club in Peja under coach Driton Kuka, alongside sister Nora.
Senior international debut
Entered the senior international circuit, competing in his first IJF World Tour events.
Senior international debut
Entered the senior international circuit, competing in his first IJF World Tour events.
European U-23 medal
Won silver at the European U-23 Championships in Zagreb, signaling his arrival on the continental stage.
European U-23 medal
Won silver at the European U-23 Championships in Zagreb, signaling his arrival on the continental stage.
First Grand Prix medal & European U-23 Gold
Breakthrough year with a Grand Prix silver in Tbilisi and European U-23 gold in Tel Aviv.
First Grand Prix medal & European U-23 Gold
Breakthrough year with a Grand Prix silver in Tbilisi and European U-23 gold in Tel Aviv.
Grand Slam & Grand Prix victories
Won Grand Slam gold in Düsseldorf and Grand Prix gold in Montreal, establishing himself as a top contender.
Grand Slam & Grand Prix victories
Won Grand Slam gold in Düsseldorf and Grand Prix gold in Montreal, establishing himself as a top contender.
Tokyo Olympic Games — 7th place
Competed at his first Olympics. Served as Kosovo's flagbearer alongside sister Nora at the Opening Ceremony.
Tokyo Olympic Games — 7th place
Competed at his first Olympics. Served as Kosovo's flagbearer alongside sister Nora at the Opening Ceremony.
Mediterranean Games Gold
Won gold at the Mediterranean Games in Oran, Algeria, adding another major title to his record.
Mediterranean Games Gold
Won gold at the Mediterranean Games in Oran, Algeria, adding another major title to his record.
European Championship Gold — History made
Became Kosovo's first male European judo champion at the European Championships in Montpellier. Named Kosovo Athlete of the Year.
European Championship Gold — History made
Became Kosovo's first male European judo champion at the European Championships in Montpellier. Named Kosovo Athlete of the Year.
Paris Olympic Games — 5th place
Finished 5th at his second Olympics, the closest he has come to an Olympic medal. Again served as flagbearer with Nora.
Paris Olympic Games — 5th place
Finished 5th at his second Olympics, the closest he has come to an Olympic medal. Again served as flagbearer with Nora.
Continued campaign toward LA 2028
Ongoing preparation and competition on the IJF World Tour, building ranking points for Olympic qualification.
Continued campaign toward LA 2028
Ongoing preparation and competition on the IJF World Tour, building ranking points for Olympic qualification.
Road to LA 2028
The pursuit of Kosovo's first male Olympic judo medal
Olympic Qualification System
Olympic judo qualification is determined by the IJF World Ranking. The top 18 athletes in each weight category earn a direct quota place for their National Olympic Committee.
Rankings are calculated from an athlete's 6 best results during a 2-year qualification window. Points are awarded at Grand Slams, Grand Prix events, Continental Championships, and the World Championships — with Worlds offering double points.
The qualification window opens in June 2026 and closes in June 2028, just weeks before the Games begin in Los Angeles.
Key Milestones
June 2026
Grand Slam Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Olympic qualification period begins
October 2026
World Championships
Baku, Azerbaijan
Major ranking event — double points available
2027
World Championships
Kazakhstan
Final Worlds before Olympic Games
July 2028
Olympic Games
Los Angeles, USA
The destination — third Olympic Games
“At 32, Akil will step onto the Olympic mat for the third time. Tokyo taught him what it takes. Paris showed him how close he is. Los Angeles is where the story reaches its peak.”