大象传媒

In a freezing cold dojo in the western Kosovar city of Peja, as a wood stove burns to keep out the bitter winter, Majlinda Kelmendi is effortlessly throwing her judo partner to the floor over and over again.

Kelmendi is the one of the world's best judokas, a double world champion who represents Kosovo, which until last month wasn't recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

That meant that most Kosovar athletes could not compete in major international events like the Olympic Games.

But in December, after a long and highly political battle, the IOC controversially approved Kosovo's membership, as James Montague reports.

(Image: Majlinda Kelmendi, Credit: Snipview)