American-Croatian team wins 25 medals at 5th Croatian World Games

by croatiaweek
July 30, 2023
in Sport

Team USA (Photo: Supplied)

The 5th Croatian World Games have come to a close in Zagreb, with over 600 Croatian athletes participating from 26 countries around the world.

The American Croats, also known as Team USA, led by coordinator Nada Pritisanac Matulich, participated for the second time at the Croatian World Games and this time achieved an impressive haul of 25 medals in tennis and pickleball events.

The tennis competition was fierce, but Team USA managed to secure 9 medals, including 5 golds and 4 silvers. Igor Brezac emerged victorious with 2 gold medals in the doubles and mix doubles events. Nada Pritisanac Matulich won gold in mix doubles and silver in doubles. Vesna Mardesic secured silver in both doubles and mix doubles. Boris Brezac earned gold in doubles, and Zeljka Perkovic Lamaster triumphed with a gold in doubles. Zeljko Sumera claimed a silver medal in mix doubles.

(Photo: Supplied)

In the pickleball event, Team USA excelled, bagging a total of 16 medals: 10 golds, 10 silvers, and 5 bronzes. In men’s doubles, Nikola Begić and Domagoj Zelenicic won the gold medals, while Mario Katarincic took home the silver, and Domagoj Dokuzovic the bronze.

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For women’s doubles, the medals were claimed by Nada Pritisanac Matulich and Jadranka Stevic with gold, Blazenka Sokovic and Vesna Mardesic with silver, and Josipa Zupan with bronze.

In the mix doubles category, the medalists were Nikola Begić and Josipa Zupan with gold, Domagoj Zelenicic and Blazenka Sokovic with silver, and Mario Katarincic and Jadranka Stevic with bronze.

Beyond the sporting competitions, the athletes forged new friendships with Croatians from other continents through socializing and enjoyable activities until the early hours of the morning.

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At the American Croatian Congress, President Nada Pritisanac Matulich, who also served as the coordinator for Team USA, presented a token of gratitude to the organization “Organizirati bez granica” (Organize Without Borders), represented by Silvija and Alexandar, for their successful preparation and execution of the 5th Croatian World Games.

(Photo: Supplied)

In addition to sports, the American Croatian Congress members from five continents engaged in numerous meetings related to ongoing projects and planned new initiatives that will continue to strengthen the bond between the diaspora and the homeland, because “ONE HEART, ONE CROATIA”.

(Photo: Supplied)

Filled with a desire for future reunions, the emotional farewells were bid to friends from all over the world, looking forward to new encounters and projects in the fields of culture, education, sports, and economy.