Kosovan Para judoka makes international debut with Sport for Mobility support

Kosovo’s Ardian Sopa made his international debut at the 2026 IBSA Judo Grand Prix in Astana, Kazakhstan, in May after the Kosovo Paralympic Committee received a Competition Support Grant from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). 

The Competition Support Grant, provided through the IPC’s Sport for Mobility programme and supported by the Toyota Mobility Foundation, aims to help National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) give Para athletes access to vital classification and competition opportunities, increasing their chances of progressing towards Paralympic qualification.

Having taken up Para judo in 2023 under the guidance of coach Anton Cena, Sopa was one of 137 competitors from 24 nations to compete in Astana. Ahead of the event, he underwent international classification and was confirmed as eligible in the J1 sport class for athletes with severe vision impairments.

In the first round of the J1 men’s -70kg, Sopa was defeated by Brazil’s Elielton De Oliveira, an athlete ranked seventh in the IBSA Judo world rankings.

Reflecting on his international debut, Ardian Sopa said: “When I stepped onto the tatami in Astana knowing that I was representing Kosovo, it was a feeling that is difficult to put into words. In that moment, I was not thinking only about the competition, but about the entire journey that had brought me there – the challenges, the hard work, and the people who believed in me. For me, this opportunity was proof that a barrier should never define how far you are allowed to dream.

“I hope my participation gives courage to another person with a disability in Kosovo who may believe today that sport is not for them. If my journey inspires even one person to try, to believe in themselves, and not to give up on their dreams, then this experience means even more to me.

“I am deeply grateful to the IPC, through the Sport for Mobility programme, to the Kosovo Paralympic Committee, and to my coach, Anton Cena, for believing in me, supporting me throughout this journey, and giving me the opportunity to represent my country on the international stage.

“My deepest gratitude goes to the IPC for believing in athletes like me and for turning opportunities into possibilities. This support did not simply take me to Astana – it gave me a stage to represent my country, a reason to believe even more in myself, and the courage to dream bigger.

“In Astana, I did not just fulfil a dream – I started dreaming even bigger.”

Njomza Emini, President of the Kosovo Paralympic Committee said: “The IPC’s support through the Sport for Mobility programme has been very important in enabling Ardian to take a significant step onto the international stage. In addition to competing in his first international event, he also completed the international classification process, an essential step in continuing his sporting journey.

“For us, the importance of this support goes beyond the participation of one athlete in a competition. Every opportunity we create and every athlete who represents Kosovo on the international stage can serve as an example and inspiration for other persons with disabilities to become involved in sport. Through opportunities and stories like this, we aim to increase the number of athletes, broaden participation in Para sport, and further strengthen the Paralympic Movement in Kosovo.”

Competition Support Grants are one of 14 initiatives delivered through the IPC's Sport for Mobility programme, which is funded through a grant agreement with the Toyota Mobility Foundation and aims to strengthen the development of Para sport around the world.