By UVIL ZAJMI
Memorie.al / It has been and remains an unrepeatable and unique case for the Olympic archive, when in such a tournament, a woman competes alone among men, in a difficult sports competition, such as the pistol one. How does Afërdita Tusha restore Albania’s participation in that gigantic and very historic event for Albanian sports today, almost half a century later? Who was the girl who rivaled the boys, surprising the shooting sports world? Why was she removed from the list and the order of Deputy Prime Minister Adil Çarçani to leave for Munich, then the rehearsals with the Opera Theater, with the traditional parade costume and how was she informed about the terrorist act against Israeli athletes?
Regarding these and other things, Afërdita Tusha tells us in the interview that we are publishing in this article, on the occasion of the opening of the Olympic Games, which began last night in the French capital, Paris.
Ms. Afërdita, why compete with boys?
Ali Mata is the decisive coach in my career. Sensing that I was strong in pistol competitions, Ali Mata had been guiding me for a long time, training me with the idea of competing in men’s pistol competitions, both in Albania, but also in international activities. Since in team competitions participation was required in all competitions, which gave points to the team, I actively participated, although it was not easy to change pistols, as they are different in shape and with different grips.
Meanwhile, the selection made by Coach Ali Mata for the Olympics was made based on the one-year results achieved in control competitions and official and international ones. I had the record with 559 points, with a MG-50 m pistol, 60 rounds with a possible 600 points. I would compete alone, among the 100 men that the Olympic regulations allowed.
Describe to us the moment when the list was read…?
We had been training intensively at the Tirana shooting range for some time, one day we were called to the Ministry of Education. The day the list was to be read, when suddenly my name was not on the list…?! Desperate, without knowing the motive (they had put another shooter in my place), faced with this fact, Ismail Rama said to me: “Afridita, ask for your rights”.
Together with my husband, we go to the Prime Minister’s Office, to meet Adil Çarçani, as Deputy Prime Minister who was there, since the other government officials were on vacation, but it was impossible. Meanwhile, Ali Mata, revolted and convinced by my results, standing in the office of the head of the “17 Nëntori” Club, Dhori Hanaxhari, explodes: “Why did you take Aphrodite away from us? I am the coach and this should come to Munich, because that’s what I said and left slamming the door.”
Meanwhile, Dhori Hanxhari, a very good man, talks to his wife, who was acquainted with Adil Çarçani’s, who would help me at a decisive moment a little later. They informed us that, at 1:00 PM, Çarçani went to have lunch at his house every day, which he had in front of “Pyramid” today. We waited for him and when he came, we told him the matter: “Yes, I have signed the list and you are the first. Go ask the federation, because I don’t know anything about the results,” – he told us, while at home his wife had informed him about the situation.
We ran to the Sports Committee and met the chairman Veis Lelo, who did not take responsibility for resolving the issue, sending us back to the Prime Minister’s Office. Desperate and hopeless, a few days later, we found ourselves in the Prime Minister’s office, to request a meeting with Adil Çarçani, when a man, after speaking on the phone in our presence with the Ministry, we heard him say “…Do whatever you want, Aferdita will definitely go”, – making a sign to us and informing us that the problem was closed.
Tell us a little about the story, with the flag and the national costume…?
In the following days, I was informed that the Sports Committee had decided that I would also carry the flag in the opening parade, wearing the national costume. For this reason, they took me to the Opera Theater and gave me a costume from the Greater Highlands. It was extraordinary, very beautiful; I had never had the opportunity to see one like that before.
They showed me how to wear it, I did some tests and I wore it myself before the parade started. They also gave me some shiny yellow pendants to go with the costume. I took both the costume and the flag and kept them there very carefully, as they were very special and of interest. I remember that it attracted so much attention that out of curiosity, many photographers took endless photos of me. We also stayed at the closing ceremony and when we returned, I handed it back to where I had taken it.
The competitions, how were they held?
The competitions took place in the first days of the tournament, at a shooting range near Munich, Hochbryk. Without any familiarization session or training, from the hotel, directly to the shooting range. I was very excited, also because of the way the events for my departure took place, (in the meantime, a short while ago, I had also become a mother, with my first daughter). Then the only competition among men. I competed with a Chinese pistol, since we also used them in Albania. Although highly mobilized, with experience in international competitions, the representation and responsibility at the Olympics was different.
I did not achieve the figures I claimed, while with me, but in another group, was Fatos Pilkati, who I still judge today, achieved a high result. This competition was removed a little later for women and their participation in national and international activities was not allowed. I remember that we had taken the weapons with us and on the plane they took them from us, arranging them in a safe place. Likewise, in Munich we handed them over, locking them in weapons lockers. Just like in Tirana, where it was forbidden to keep them in public or private places.
What was the press reaction?
It was great, for the fact that a woman from Albania, alone, would compete in a competition with boys in a difficult discipline, like pistol shooting. They even asked me for interviews, and they were surprised that I was not a professional athlete!
“She is a specialist in repairing dental appliances,” – was Fatos Pilkat’s explanation, when translating into English. – The journalists were surprised and could not believe that a shooter with a score of 599 points, which was a high figure for the time, a contender for a medal at the Olympics, was completely amateur and from a small country.
How did you experience Ymer Pampur’s record?
I followed the competition in the hall, together with the other athletes, especially the moment when Pampuri lifted the barbell. I remember that Coach Zyhdi Mazreku was decisive in Ymer Pampuri’s record, since Pampuri did not lift the weight on the first attempt; it was Mazreku who ordered that the barbell be set at 125 kg., since he knew Ymer Pampuri’s strength, character and capabilities.
And he was not wrong. We discussed this fact when we were all together, especially after the record and the joy that filled all of us athletes, was very great. Then the ceremony and emotion, when we heard the anthem.
What about the Palestinian terrorist attack on Israeli athletes?
I felt it up close, since the three-story villa where we girls stayed was next to the men’s, where the tragedy occurred. I remember that it all started after midnight; although in the morning we realized that something had happened. Not knowing the language, although images were broadcast on television, hours later we were fully informed about what was happening.
When I saw the photos, I recognized one of the Israeli athletes, as he stood out from the others, due to his hairstyle. Not me, but none of the athletes, could imagine that there could be a terrorist attack in the athletes’ camp, since there was no such concern, before and during the following days. However, the competitions continued normally, but the situation was not enthusiastic.
Was there a reward for participation and results?
In addition to the moral one, some modest privileges for the time, I remember that from Munich, we returned with a television. Although the allowance was small, about 120 dollars, in the city during the entire period of the Olympics, in its stores, black and white televisions were installed, which broadcasted the competitions for the citizens without interruption for 24 hours.
A Kosovar friend offered us the opportunity to buy one of these TVs, which would be sold at the end of the activity. They didn’t create any problems for us at customs, allowing us to take them back. I don’t remember receiving any rewards, mainly in monetary value, or anything else.
At the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in 2016, a woman is again the flag bearer?
I am glad that this tradition has continued with girls, who have contributed to Albanian sport, in every sporting discipline, right? I want to emphasize that it is we women who have climbed the podiums, won medals.
I remember here Elisabeta Karabolli, Diana Mata, Ermira Dingu, etc., all record holders, champions, and even in the elite of European and world sports. I am glad that, after me, Klodian Shala was also a flag bearer and now in this Olympics Luiza Gega, a courageous, excellent girl and athlete, after I followed her in the competitions.
What is Afërdita Tusha doing today?
I have been living in Italy for years and recently moved to Milan, together with my family, especially staying with my daughter. However, I go back and forth to Tirana, as I have the rest of my family, friends. I am retired and live modestly in Milan, while I have an apartment here in Tirana.
I have some memories from that Olympics, which I have archived along with all the records, titles and medals that have accompanied me as a shooter with a 30-year career, with the national team, “17 Nëntorin” and “Partizan”. From Munich I have one medal, the stadium ticket, the identity card and some photos.
The “Munich 1972” Olympics, who were the Albanians who started to write history?
More than four decades have passed, and today it is still held and remembered as one of the most famous Olympics of the Olympic Games, for the entire sports world, especially for the Albanian environment. But who were the members of that historic delegation, the results and where are the protagonists of that event today, from the Olympic record and gold medal of Ymer Pampur, to Afërdita Tusha, the female flag bearer?
What was the echo, how was the representation in that competition broadcast and commented by Skifter Këlliçi on Albanian Radio-Television? Why and how was the terrorist attack of the “Black September” group organized inside the Olympic village, killing 11 athletes? To continue with the sports rivalry, such as the Olympic records of the phenomenal swimmer, Mark Spitz, the Soviet sprinter Valeri Borzov and the dramatic moments at the end of the game, between the USA-URSS in men’s basketball.
From Mazrek to “Berlin ’36” to “Munich ’72”
The 1936 Olympics, in Berlin, a sports delegation with Anton Mazrek at the head, Albania is invited by the German Olympic Committee, to be present at that event. After 36 years, another participation of Albania in the Olympics, “Munich ’72”, with an elite representation of sports, mainly with shooting, a massive, dominant sport with results for the time.
After three months of intensive preparation, on August 21, the group left for Munich, on the Tirana-Budapest-Munich route, and the Albanian delegation consisted of: Xhemal Punavia, Deputy Minister of Education, for the military side, responsible for the team, then the athletes: shooters, Afërdita Tusha, Ismail Rama, Fatos Pilkati, Beqir Kosova and weightlifter Ymer Pampuri, along with coaches Ali Mata and Zydi Mazreku, and as always, an employee of the State Security. Since Punavia spoke French, a German girl who also communicated in French was assigned to accompany the group.
Although the competitions of the Albanian athletes ended quickly, they stayed until the end, returning to their homeland on September 14. To welcome the delegation, Bedri Dedja, Deputy Minister of Education, Mihal Qipo, Secretary of the Heavy Sports and Shooting Federation, and a group of pioneers had come out.
The ceremony, grand for the time
They were the second Olympic Games to be held in Germany, after those of Berlin in 1936. The purpose of organizing them was to offer the world the image of a new post-war, democratic and developing state, transmitting a joyful atmosphere, to forget the memories of a Hitlerite Germany. The symbols of the tournament were a blue sun, stylized in the shape of a spiral and a “Valdi Mascot”, which became the first official symbol of an Olympics.
The Olympic Park (Olympiapaark), based on the idea of Frei Otto, is still a landmark for the city today, while other elements, such as the swimming pool, a multifunctional structure, were designed by architect Gunther Behnich. On the afternoon of August 26, in the presence of 84,000 spectators, the XX Olympic Games (August 26-September 11) opened in the new Olympic Stadium in Munich.
In accordance with tradition, according to the German alphabet, Greece – “Griechenland” – paraded first, then “Ägypten”, “Äthiopien”, “Afghanistan” and “Albanien” led by the red and black flag held by the shooter Afërdita Tusha dressed in national costume.
A total of 132 teams, over 10,000 athletes and, finally, the team of the Federal Republic of Germany paraded. In those days, the 73rd session of CONI was convened, also electing the new president, the Irish Lord Killan, who replaced the American billionaire, 85-year-old Everi Brandesh.
Rhodesia was not allowed to participate in this Olympics, as a racist country, after a protest by more than 39 South African countries, which forced CONI to make such a decision.
Who were the Albanian athletes at the Munich Olympics, 1972?
Afërdita Tusha – Shooter of “Partizan”, 27 years old, (Master of Sports, 1967), participates for the first time in an Olympic competition, registering the unique case, as the first and last woman to compete in a competition with the best men in the world, in the competition with the pistol specialty, 50 m., rivaling the best male shooters in the world, in this sports discipline. She holds the national record of this competition, with 599 points. She is third in her battery with 94 points, out of a possible 100.
Fatos Pilkati – Only 20 years old, one of the talents of the time, (“Master of Sports”, 1972), for the first time in an international event of this level, also as Tusha, in the 50 m pistol competition. Athlete of the “17 Nëntor” club, he is classified in 24th place, out of 59 participants, with 546 points, when his best result was 548 points. The first gold medal in this competition was won by the 38-year-old Swede, Ranjar Skanaker, with 567 points, four more than the Olympic record.
Ismail Rama – 37 years old (“Merited Master of Sports”, 1963), shooter of the “Dajti” club in the precision competition with small-caliber rifle-barreled, 50 m., with 60 rounds and 600 possible points, also for the first time in the Olympics. After breaking the record held by Shefqet Mata, in 1967 with 595 points, he secured participation in the Olympic Games and is ranked 22nd, out of 101 participants from 58 countries, with the high figure of 594 points, only 5 points away from the world record, with 599 points, achieved by the shooter of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. (North Korea).
Beqir Kosova – 23 years old, also from the “Dajti” club (“Merited Master of Sports”, 1974), competes for the first time in the Olympics, in the same competition as Ismail Rama, collecting 587 points, out of a possible 600.
Ymer Pampur’s Olympic record
It was Tuesday, August 29, when Ymer Pampur (“Merited Master of Sports” and athlete from the “17 Nëntori” club) competed in Group A, which concluded the competitions that day.
Three tests: In the first he tried 120 kg., but failed, while in the second 125 kg. (Which was a new Olympic record, set in “Tokyo 1964”, by the Japanese Miyake), Pampuri successfully passes. The third test, 127.5 kg. and Olympic record! Nurikan tried 130 kg. but was unable to lift it. Thus, Ymer Pampuri, newly declared European vice champion, is also declared Olympic champion, in the strength style. The “Associated Press” agency would comment on the new Olympic record of the Albanian: “Albanian Pampuri improved the Olympic record in the featherweight (up to 60 kg.) Twice within 5 minutes, with the first lift of 125 kg. and then 127.5 kg.
The best lifters of this weight, including the Olympic and world champion, Mijake, as well as the European champion Shanidze in the group ‘B’ competitions, failed to break it. The Olympic record and the gold medal were awarded to Pampuri, as he had a lighter body weight than two weightlifters, Bulgarian and Soviet, who lifted the same weight in the power style”. Later, after the Olympics, this style was removed from weightlifting competitions.
Television broadcast, by Skifter Këlliçi
Before the delegation left for Munich, a congratulatory message was sent by the newspaper “Sporti Shqiptar”, with the title; “Good luck to our first Olympians”, accompanied by interviews with the protagonists.
A few months ago, TVSH had started broadcasting international sporting events, mainly football. Even for the Olympics, the microphone was entrusted to the well-known journalist and publicist, Skifter Këlliçi, who, as the telechronist of that Olympics, recalls: “There was a moment when Todi Lubonja called me into the office and told me that; it had been approved from above, for TVSH to broadcast the Olympics.
It was an activity of gigantic proportions, with 23 types of sports and 145 competitions, some of which I did not know. I ran to the National Library, got the ‘Olympic Encyclopedia’, volumes in Italian, such as ‘History of Sports’ and I was helped by several daily newspapers, such as; ‘Sovjetski Sport’, ‘Atletika e lëghë’, as well as sports news received from the Albanian Telegraphic Agency.
They instructed me not to allow athletes from the USA and the Soviet Union to appear on the screen, nor the ceremonies of awarding medals to athletes from these countries. The broadcast would be received by the Italian RAI channels, while I compiled a list of collaborators, such as; Feti Borova, Kreshnik Tartari, journalist Napoleon Roshi, publicist Pirro Naçe. The broadcast began every day at 14:00, to continue until 24:00, sometimes even at 02:00 in the morning.
On the inauguration day, at 16:00, the opening ceremony began, while in the studio, I had only a microphone and a camera. TVSH broadcast the entire RAI program, that is, all sports, interrupting it only when there were news editions, the 20:00 Television Magazine and some children’s program at noon. I was emotional when the Albanian athletes were paraded, the moment when I commented on Pampur’s Olympic record, which are unforgettable for me”, concludes Skifter Këlliçi from Boston, where he has been living for years, his story.
Where they are today and what do the Albanian Olympians of Munich do?
As the years pass, they remain the same, with the exception of the famous legendary coach in this sport Ali Mata, who is no longer alive and the Olympic champion, Ymer Pampuri, who passed away in 2017. Likewise, Zyhdi Mazreku and Xhemal Punavia, have also passed away for years. While Afërdita Tusha, Ismail Rama, Beqir Kosova, Fatos Pilkati, Ymer Pampuri, enjoy good health, although scattered throughout the world, as are the 5 rings of the Olympic Games.
Afërdita Tusha, retired, divides her stay between Italy where she has been transferred for years with her family and Tirana; Ismail Rama has not moved, but has chosen Tirana, without parting with it; Beqir Kosova, in Switzerland, has been living there for years, coming to Tirana only on special occasions; Fatos Pilkati, has chosen America, New York, where he has been working and living with his family for many years.
Ymer Pampuri, the undisputed hero of that Olympics, unrepeatable: until he passed away in 2017, he lived in Tirana, retired, and preserved the memories of that representation, the titles and friends of the time, since the years that followed, especially those after ’90, had unfairly left him out of the spotlight, when it should have been different. Not only for him, but also for others. They have done sports and faced giant champions of the time, with the privilege of a 5-hour or something more…! Memorie.al
