President of the Republic Receives Croatian Athletes Who Achieved Historic Success at the Mediterranean Games by Winning a Record 39 Medals
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović today received Croatian athletes who achieved historic success at the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, held from 21 August to 3 September 2026, by winning a record 39 medals. They won six gold, 18 silver, and 15 bronze medals, breaking the previous record set in Montpellier in 1993, when Croatia won 34 medals.
The President of the Republic congratulated the athletes on their “brilliant results” and noted: “We are all in this together – same colours, same nation, same people, same state –but sport is also a journey for each of you individually, as well as for your coaches and federations, who made the conditions for such an achievement possible. However, at the beginning and at the end, you are always on your own, and that is why I congratulate each of you individually. I refrain from comparing how many medals each country has won because every medal has its own value. I see that Croatia has won a relatively large number of medals, and I cannot help but notice that the range of sports in which you represent us is very broad. And that is great.”
The President specifically highlighted the excellent results in combat sports, describing them as a civilized way of channelling a certain type of energy, “which is better on the tatami or in the ring than on the street.” He called on the athletes to continue spreading the spirit of nobility and competitiveness, as well as personal ambition, emphasizing that achieving such success requires an investment of energy and concentration comparable to completing several university degrees. “Winning a medal in European or Mediterranean competition is a tremendous achievement,” President Milanović concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the medallists were boxer Sara Beram, a gold medallist, and long jumper Filip Pravdica, a silver medallist. “My coach and I achieved a historic result in boxing for the Republic of Croatia because we brought home the first gold medal at the Mediterranean Games since independence. Behind every medal lie sacrifice, discipline, and uncertainty,” said Sara Beram, expressing her gratitude for the support and congratulating all her fellow athletes, including those who did not win medals this time but represented Croatia in the best possible light.
Filip Pravdica highlighted the importance of teamwork and the role successful athletes play for future generations: “Dreams are possible, and our teams, coaches, and doctors also deserve credit for making them a reality by providing us with incredible support. Our most important role is the example we set for young athletes. This invitation from the President is a major step forward and a sign that the state cares.”
Mihael Trkulja, Acting Secretary General of the Croatian Olympic Committee, spoke on behalf of the Croatian Olympic Committee. “We are extremely proud of the success in Taranto, where our athletes won as many as 39 medals in 14 days of competition, the highest number of medals in Croatia’s nine appearances at the Mediterranean Games to date. With this result, we have confirmed that Croatian sport, despite the size of our country, has the strength, quality, and continuity that place us among the most successful sporting nations,” said Trkulja, thanking President Milanović for the reception and his support for Croatian sport and athletes “who represent Croatia to the world in the best possible way through their results, conduct, and dedication.”
Attending the reception at the Office of the President of the Republic were gold medallists Nina Vuković, Sara Beram, Helena Vuković, and Ivan Huklek; silver medallists Josipa Jurković, Goran Mahmutović, Ana Blažević, Vanesa Tot, Sofija Hinić, Josip Teskera, Ivan Šapina, Antonio Kamenjašević, Boran Berak, Anđelo Kvesić, Filip Pravdica, Marino Milićević, and Miran Maričić; and bronze medallists Sara Kolak, Matea Parlov Koštro, Nikola Miljenović, Luka Cvetko, Dora Bassi, Filip Strikinac, Vili Sivec, Ema Sgardelli, Marko Perković, Marko Golubić, and Matija Gregurić.
In addition to Mihael Trkulja, Acting Secretary General of the Croatian Olympic Committee, the Croatian athletes were accompanied by representatives of Croatian sports federations: the Croatian Athletics Federation – Vice President Marko Šebalj, Secretary General Mihaela Vidović, and coaches Roland Robert Varga, Franjo Pavlović, Mišel Žerak, and Igor Čordaš; the Croatian Bocce Federation – Vice President Renata Ševerdija and Secretary General Lukrecija Zanki; the Croatian Boxing Federation – President Nikolina Jurić and coaches Damir Stručić, Matej Batinić, and Bruno Škudara; the Croatian Wrestling Federation – Secretary General Tin Bregović, Sports Director Anton Đok, and coaches Ivan Lizatović and Božo Starčević; the Croatian Judo Federation – President Sandra Čorak and Secretary General Miroslav Novković; the Croatian Diving Federation – President Dr. Darko Kovačević and Stjepan Župančić; the Croatian Shooting Federation – Secretary General Bojan Đurković and coach Damir Bošnjak; the Croatian Rowing Federation – Secretary General Mićo Mikulić and coach Aleksandar Vukojičić; the Croatian Taekwondo Federation – Secretary General Petar Josipović and coaches Dejan Mesarov, Dragan Pinjuh Divijan, and Martin Keleva; the Croatian Swimming Federation – Nenad Miloš, Domagoj Zajec, Ivica Androić, Goran Kežman, and Klara Šiljeg; the Croatian Canoe Federation – President Tomislav Crnković, Secretary General Ead Bečirević, and coach Igor Krajina; Ratko Galjer of the Croatian Badminton Federation; and the Croatian Karate Federation – Secretary General Boris Vujčić and national team coaches Danil Domdjoni and Davor Mrzak.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić