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Croatian canoeing mourns the loss of a legend

Croatian canoeing mourns the loss of a legend 2.11.2019

Croatian canoeing mourns the loss of Dubravko Mataković - Čiči who passed away at the age of 77 after a long illness. He was the first Croatian wildwater paddler who participated at the Olympic Games. In 1972 Olympic Games in Munich he finished 25th in men’s K1.


Dubravko Mataković started his sporting career in Zagreb’s Slavija and from 1966 on he was a member of Canoe Club Končar. He participated at national and international competitions from 1964, both in canoe slalom and wildwater canoeing, in K1 and C2 events. He was a member of Yugoslavian national team for 22 years, which was a record for any Croatian canoeist.
 
He was competing at Canoe Slalom and Wildwater Canoeing World Championships from 1965 to 1987. His best individual result was 9th place in C2 in 1985. He won his last national champion title at the age of 48.
 
After sporting career he worked as a coach and national team manager. He was a team manager of Yugoslavian wildwater canoeing team from 1989 to 1991, and of Croatian team from 1992 to 1998.
 
Among his protégées are Tomislav Crnković, Željko Petrić, Tomislav Hohnjec, Tomislav Lepan, Goran Čokor and Emil  Milihram. From 1990 to 1997 his competitors won seven gold medals at Senior and Junior World and European Championships.
 
We would like to express sincere condolences to his family and friends. Čiči, rest in peace.
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