{"id":44423,"date":"2026-09-11T15:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T13:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.predsjednik.hr\/?post_type=news&p=44423"},"modified":"2026-09-11T15:45:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T13:45:22","slug":"president-of-the-republic-receives-croatian-athletes-who-achieved-historic-success-at-the-mediterranean-games-by-winning-a-record-39-medals","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.predsjednik.hr\/en\/news\/president-of-the-republic-receives-croatian-athletes-who-achieved-historic-success-at-the-mediterranean-games-by-winning-a-record-39-medals\/","title":{"rendered":"President of the Republic Receives Croatian Athletes Who Achieved Historic Success at the Mediterranean Games by Winning a Record 39 Medals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanovi\u0107 today received Croatian athletes who achieved historic success at the 20th<\/sup> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President of the Republic congratulated the athletes on their \u201cbrilliant results\u201d and noted: \u201cWe are all in this together \u2013 same colours, same nation, same people, same state \u2013but 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President specifically highlighted the excellent results in combat sports, describing them as a civilized way of channelling a certain type of energy, \u201cwhich is better on the tatami or in the ring than on the street.\u201d 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. \u201cWinning a medal in European or Mediterranean competition is a tremendous achievement,\u201d President Milanovi\u0107 concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking on behalf of the medallists were boxer Sara Beram, a gold medallist, and long jumper Filip Pravdica, a silver medallist. \u201cMy 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,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filip Pravdica highlighted the importance of teamwork and the role successful athletes play for future generations: \u201cDreams 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mihael Trkulja, Acting Secretary General of the Croatian Olympic Committee, spoke on behalf of the Croatian Olympic Committee. \u201cWe 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\u2019s 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,\u201d said Trkulja, thanking President Milanovi\u0107 for the reception and his support for Croatian sport and athletes \u201cwho represent Croatia to the world in the best possible way through their results, conduct, and dedication.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attending the reception at the Office of the President of the Republic were gold medallists Nina Vukovi\u0107, Sara Beram, Helena Vukovi\u0107, and Ivan Huklek; silver medallists Josipa Jurkovi\u0107, Goran Mahmutovi\u0107, Ana Bla\u017eevi\u0107, Vanesa Tot, Sofija Hini\u0107, Josip Teskera, Ivan \u0160apina, Antonio Kamenja\u0161evi\u0107, Boran Berak, An\u0111elo Kvesi\u0107, Filip Pravdica, Marino Mili\u0107evi\u0107, and Miran Mari\u010di\u0107; and bronze medallists Sara Kolak, Matea Parlov Ko\u0161tro, Nikola Miljenovi\u0107, Luka Cvetko, Dora Bassi, Filip Strikinac, Vili Sivec, Ema Sgardelli, Marko Perkovi\u0107, Marko Golubi\u0107, and Matija Greguri\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2013 Vice President Marko \u0160ebalj, Secretary General Mihaela Vidovi\u0107, and coaches Roland Robert Varga, Franjo Pavlovi\u0107, Mi\u0161el \u017derak, and Igor \u010corda\u0161; the Croatian Bocce Federation \u2013 Vice President Renata \u0160everdija and Secretary General Lukrecija Zanki; the Croatian Boxing Federation \u2013 President Nikolina Juri\u0107 and coaches Damir Stru\u010di\u0107, Matej Batini\u0107, and Bruno \u0160kudara; the Croatian Wrestling Federation \u2013 Secretary General Tin Bregovi\u0107, Sports Director Anton \u0110ok, and coaches Ivan Lizatovi\u0107 and Bo\u017eo Star\u010devi\u0107; the Croatian Judo Federation \u2013 President Sandra \u010corak and Secretary General Miroslav Novkovi\u0107; the Croatian Diving Federation \u2013 President Dr. Darko Kova\u010devi\u0107 and Stjepan \u017dupan\u010di\u0107; the Croatian Shooting Federation \u2013 Secretary General Bojan \u0110urkovi\u0107 and coach Damir Bo\u0161njak; the Croatian Rowing Federation \u2013 Secretary General Mi\u0107o Mikuli\u0107 and coach Aleksandar Vukoji\u010di\u0107; the Croatian Taekwondo Federation \u2013 Secretary General Petar Josipovi\u0107 and coaches Dejan Mesarov, Dragan Pinjuh Divijan, and Martin Keleva; the Croatian Swimming Federation \u2013 Nenad Milo\u0161, Domagoj Zajec, Ivica Androi\u0107, Goran Ke\u017eman, and Klara \u0160iljeg; the Croatian Canoe Federation \u2013 President Tomislav Crnkovi\u0107, Secretary General Ead Be\u010direvi\u0107, and coach Igor Krajina; Ratko Galjer of the Croatian Badminton Federation; and the Croatian Karate Federation \u2013 Secretary General Boris Vuj\u010di\u0107 and national team coaches Danil Domdjoni and Davor Mrzak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia \/ Ana Marija Kati\u0107<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanovi\u0107 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":44422,"template":"","news-cat":[12],"class_list":["post-44423","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-cat-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPresident of the Republic Receives Croatian Athletes Who Achieved Historic Success at the Mediterranean Games by Winning a Record 39 Medals - President of the Republic of Croatia - Zoran Milanovi\u0107<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.predsjednik.hr\/en\/news\/president-of-the-republic-receives-croatian-athletes-who-achieved-historic-success-at-the-mediterranean-games-by-winning-a-record-39-medals\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"President of the Republic Receives Croatian Athletes Who Achieved Historic Success at the Mediterranean Games by Winning a Record 39 Medals - President of the Republic of Croatia - Zoran Milanovi\u0107\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The President of the Republic Zoran Milanovi\u0107 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. 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