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Majlinda Kelmendi just won Kosovo's first ever Olympic gold medal.

She really does have the heart of a champion.

This is Majlinda Kelmendi. She competed in Rio as a member of Kosovo's national team, and she made history.

For the first time ever, Kosovo is fielding a team at the Olympics. Just eight years removed from the country's declaration of independence from Serbia, the war-torn country has earned a spot atop the world's premier sporting stage.

Majlinda Kelmendi waves Kosovo's national flag during the flag handover ceremony in Pristina on July 29, 2016. Photo by Armend Nimani/AFP/Getty Images.


Though this is Kosovo's first appearance at the Olympics, the arena is familiar territory for Kelmendi, who represented Albania in the 2012 Olympics in London, where she competed in judo.

In 2012, she left London empty-handed. Now 25 years old, Kelmendi hoped to avoid a similar result in her historic return to the Olympic arena. She and her country had their legacies on the line, but nothing could stand in the way of her gold medal dreams.

Majlinda Kelmendi of Albania (in white) competes against Jaana Sundberg of Finland at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images.

On Day Two of the 2016 Olympics in Rio, those gold medal dreams came true. Kelmendi became the first person to take home an Olympic medal for Kosovo.

After defeating Italy's Odette Giuffrida in the final, Kelmendi quickly came to terms with the enormity of what just happened. She won. Just as important, however — Kosovo, as a country, won.

"To be honest, I came here for the gold medal, but it's crazy," she told reporters. "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 for the first time, I think gold is huge.

"It means a lot. People, especially kids in Kosovo, look to me as a hero."

Majlinda Kelmendi of Kosovo (in blue) and Odette Giuffrida of Italy compete in the gold medal final at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.

Majlinda Kelmendi of Kosovo celebrates winning the gold medal. Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images.

The newly-crowned champion was overwhelmed with emotion.

Photo by Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images.

"I just proved to them that even after the war, even after we survived a war, if they want something they can have it," she said. "If they want to be Olympic champions, they can be — even if we come from a small country, a poor country."

Majlinda Kelmendi of Kosovo shows her emotions at winning the gold. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images.

Watching as she received her gold medal served as a reminder of what the Olympics are supposed to be all about.

For a few weeks every four years, the world's greatest athletes come together in competition. For that short period of time, it seems as though all that is wrong with the world has taken a back seat to the representation of unity and healthy competition. For that brief moment in time, it can seem as though there are no wars. For that brief moment in time, we see humanity for the best it is and the best it can be. For that brief moment in time, there are only champions.

Gold medalist Majlinda Kelmendi shows her emotions during the medal ceremony. Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images.

Gold medalist Majlinda Kelmendi of Kosovo is presented her medal. Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images.

In Majlinda Kelmendi, we see what the heart of a champion looks like.

In that heart, we see the best of humanity, we see the value of hard work, and we see the importance of dreaming big.

Gold medalist Majlinda Kelmendi of Kosovo and silver medalist Odette Giuffrida of Italy pose on the podium during the medal ceremony. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images.

(L-R) Silver medalist Odette Giuffrida of Italy, gold medalist Majlinda Kelmendi of Kosovo, and bronze medalists Misato Nakamura of Japan and Natalia Kuziutina of Russia. Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images.

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

True

A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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