Touching stories behind the first Olympics gold medals at Rio

Kosovo's judoka Majlinda Kelmendi shows her gold during a welcoming ceremony in Pristina on August 14, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

Kosovo: Making debut with a bang at the Olympics

Majlinda Kelmendi made history by winning Kosovo's first Olympic Games gold medal in judo's women's 52kg final at Rio Olympics.

Kosovo is represented at an Olympic Games for the first time in Rio and Kelmendi gave Kosovo a moment to treasure by seeing off Odette Giuffrida of Italy in the final, scoring a yuko for her victory.

Kosovo makes its debut at the Rio Olympic Games, having been officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee in December 2014.

Kosovo therefore became the 100th delegation to win an Olympic gold medal.

"I'm so happy for me, for my coach, for all my country. This is the first time that Kosovo is part of the Olympics, and winning the gold on debut is huge," said Kelmendi.

"That means a lot. Many people, especially kids, look at me as a hero in Kosovo. I just proved to them that even after the war, if they want to be Olympic champions, they can be. Even if we come from a small, poor country."