List of Croatian sportspeople

This is a partial list of famous Croatian sportspeople.

Individual Sports

Alpine Skiing

* Stipe Božić - alpinist
* Janica Kostelić - A.S. World Cup Champion in 2001, 2003 & 2006 - (4 Olympic Golds & 2 Silvers)
* Ivica Kostelić - Alpine skier, Olympic silver medalist
* Vladimir Sabich - American skier murdered by girlfriend Claudine Longet

Boxing

* Željko Mavrović - Fmr. European Boxing Champion
* Mate Parlov - Fmr. WBC & European Light Heavyweight Champion
* George Chuvalo - Fmr. Canadian Heavyweight Champion
* Bob Mirovic - 8 Times Australian Heavyweight Champion
* Fritzie Zivic (The Croat Comet) - Fmr. World Welterweight Champion
* Stjepan Božić - WBF Super Middleweight Champion
* Stipe Drviš - World Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion
* Mario Preskar

Chess

* Braslav Rabar
* Petar Trifunović
* Vladimir Vuković
* Ivan Morovic - Chilean Chess player, International Grandmaster (Best Latin American chess player)
* Zdenko Kožul
* Ante Šarić - one of the youngest Croatian International Grandmasters

MMA

* Pat Miletich (The Croatian Sensation) - Fmr. UFC Champion
* Elvis Sinosic - Croatian- Australian Mixed Martial Artist (UFC)
* Mirko Filipović (Cro Cop) - Mixed Martial Artist
* Branko Cikatić - First K-1 Grand Prix Winner
* Siniša Andrijašević - K1 Kickboxer
* Stefan Leko -Croatian heritage. German K1 Kickboxer
* Mark Arapovic - Australian Mixed Martial Artist (Boxing, Judo)
* Johnny “Miller” Miletich who was present at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles as part of the boxing squad
* Goran Reljic - UFC Mixed Martial Artist
* Zelg "Benkei" Galesic - UFC Mixed Martial Artist

Motorsport

* Robbie Francevic - NZ Touring car race driver
* Frank Radisich - NZ Racing car driver (Father of Paul Radisich)
* Paul Radisich - NZ Racing car driver (Son of Frank Radisich)
* Gary Gabelich - American automobile-racing driver

wimming

* Veljko Rogošić - Marathon swimmer
* Duje Draganja - Swimmer, Olympic Silver Medalist
* Ðurdica Bjedov - Swimmer
* Gordan Kožulj - Swimmer
* Miloš Milošević - Swimmer

Table tennis

* Žarko Dolinar - Table tennis champion
* Zoran Primorac - 1993 & 1997 World Cup winner
* Dragutin Šurbek - Doubles world champion in 1979 and 1983
* Antun Stipančić - Doubles world champion in 1979
* Tamara Boroš - (#7 - Greatest non-Asian in the World)
* Tan Ruiwu - Table tennis player (ethnic Chinese)

Tennis

* Mario Ančić - Davis Cup champion (#8)
* Javier Frana - Argentinian Olympic medalist
* Ivan Ljubičić - Davis Cup champion (#4)
* Dominik Hrbaty - Slovak tennis player
* Karolina Šprem - Tennis player
* Marin Čilić - #1 Junior in the World - Roland Garros Champion (Junior, Singles)
* Iva Majoli - Roland Garros Champion
* Evie Dominiković - Australian tennis player
* Goran Ivanišević - Wimbledon champion (4 times Wimbledon finalist)
* Ivo Karlović - Tallest tennis player ever
* Nikola Pilić - 4 Times Davis Cup Winner (Roland Garros Finalist in 1973)
* Željko Franulović - Roland Garros Finalist in 1970
* Mirjana Lučić - Australian Open Doubles Champion (with Hingis)
* Franjo Puncec - #10 in 1938
* Boro Jovanovic - #7 in 1963
* Frank Dancevic
* Marina Erakovic
* Gisela Dulko

Triathlon

* Dejan Patrčević

Wrestling

* Jerry Sags - Fmr. WWF & WCW Tag Team Champion (The Nasty Boys)
* Josip Peruzović - WWE Hall of Famer (Nikolai Volkoff)
* Stan Stasiak - WWF World Heavyweight Champion
* Shawn Stasiak - WWF Wrestler
* Hugo Savinovich - WWE Spanish broadcaster
* Thomas Boric - WWF Wrestler (Paul Diamond, Kato, Max Moon)
* Victor Jovica

Team Sports

Football

* Dorian Šimić - Official International Water-Boy [1992 - 2008]
* Saša Bjelanović - Ascoli Calcio 1898
* Miroslav "Ciro" Blaževic - NK Zagreb coach
* Igor Budan - Ascoli Calcio 1898
* Dario Šimić - A.C. Milan (Also brother of infamous Croatian Water-Boy)
* Davor Šuker
* Igor Tudor - HNK Hajduk
* Nikola Dragin
* Ivan Klasnić - Werder Bremen
* Niko Kovač
* Robert Kovač - Borussia Dortmund
* Niko Kranjčar - Portsmouth FC
* Dado Prso
* Jurica Vranješ - Werder Bremen
* Zvonimir Boban (AC Milan)
* Alen Bokšić (Lazio, Juventus, Middlesbrough)
* Josip Skoblar - European Golden Boot, 1971
* Davor Suker (Golden Boot winner at the 1998 WC) (Real Madrid, Arsenal, Munich 1860)
* Robert Prosinečki (Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Sevilla FC)
* Dražan Jerković (Golden Boot winner at the 1962 EURO & 1966 WC)
* Aljoša Asanović
* Dražen Ladić
* Srecko Katanec
* Ico Hitrec
* Zlatko Cajkovski
* Zlatko Vujović
* Robert Jarni (Juventus, Real Madrid)
* Davor Vugrinec (Lecce, Atalanta)
* Marinko Jurendic

European Footballers

* Teddy Lucic - Swedish footballer (Croatian father & Finnish mother)
* Tarcisio Burgnich - Fmr. Italian footballer

Australian Footballers

* Mark Bresciano (Croatian mother)
* Mark Bosnich
* Ante Covic
* Jason Culina
* Steve Horvat
* Zeljko Kalac
* Ante Milicic
* Ljubo Milicevic
* Tom Pondeljak
* Tony Popovic
* Mark Rudan
* Josip Skoko
* Mark Viduka
* David Zdrilic
* Ned Zelic
* Eugene Galekovic
* Richie Alagich
* Robert Bajic
* Sime Kovacevic
* Ante Kovacevic
* Ante Milicic
* Ruben Zadkovich
* Matthew Spiranovic
* Daniel Visevic
* Mate Dugandzic

Americas footballers

From Argentina:
* Daniel Ruben Bilos
* Leonardo Pisculichi (Piškulić)
* Mirko Saric
* Dario Cvitanich (Cvitanić)
* Pablo Vranjican
* Luciano Pocrnjic

From Canada:
* Ante Jazic
* Johnny Sulentic
* Nick Dasovic
* Branko Segota

From Chile:
* Lucas Tudor
* Ivo Basay

From Costa Rica:
*José Rafael Fello Meza Ivankovich - soccer legend; a stadium in Cost Rica is named after him Estadio José Rafael Fello Meza Ivankovich

From the USA:
* Ante Razov - American football player
* Dean Ljubicic - American bodybuilder

NZ Footballers

* Paul Urlovic
* Ivan Vicelich
* Chris Zoricich

American Football

* Bill Belichick - NFL Coach
* Nick Saban - NFL Coach
* Brian Billick - NFL Coach
* Steve Belichick - Fmr. NFL player & coach
* Jared Hamilton - Yale University Football Player
* John Jurkovic - Fmr. NFL player
* Mirko Jurkovic - Fmr. NFL player
* Joe Kuharich - Fmr. NFL Coach
* Tony Mandarich - Fmr. NFL player
* John Mandarich - Fmr. CFL player
* Frank Sinkwich - Fmr. NFL player, 1942 winner of the Heisman Trophy
* Chris Zorich - Fmr. NFL player (African-American father, Croatian mother)
* Elvis Grbac - Fmr. NFL player
* Steve Spoljaric - Fmr. Fordham University collegiate football player, Bishop McDevitt High School (Harrisburg, PA)

Australian rules football

* Brent Grgic - Australian rules footballer
* Peter Sumich - Australian rules footballer
* Adrian Barich - Australian rules footballer and Rugby League player
* Alan Didak - Australian rules footballer
* Matthew Pavlich - Australian rules footballer
* Allen Jakovich - Australian rules footballer
* Glen Jakovich - Australian rules footballer
* Darren Gaspar - #1 pick in 1993
* Travis Gaspar - Australian rules footballer
* Damien Gaspar - Australian rules footballer
* Ivan Maric - Australian rules footballer
* Steven Jurica - Australian rules footballer
* Craig Starcevich - Australian rules footballer
* Marc Dragicevic - Australian rules footballer
* Gordon Fode - Australian rules footballer
* Ilija Grgic - Australian rules footballer
* John Gerovich - Australian rules footballer
* Steven Salopek - Australian rules footballer
* Jacob Surjan - Australian rules footballer
* Judd Lalich - Australian rules footballer
* Jon Dorotich - Australian rules footballer
* Steven Bilcich - Australian rules footballer
* Val Perovic - Australian rules footballer
* Anthony Begovich - Australian rules footballer
* Gavin Crosisca - Australian rules footballer
* Ray Gabelich - Australian rules footballer
* Tom Grljusich - Australian rules footballer
* George Grljusich - Australian rules footballer
* Addam Maric - Australian rules footballer
* Lazar Vidovic - Australian rules footballer

Baseball

* Roger Maris - Baseball Legend
* Ed Jurak - Baseball player
* Johnny Pesky - Baseball player
* Mickey Lolich - Baseball player
* Paul Spoljaric - Baseball player
* Erv Palica (Pavlicevich) - Baseball player

Basketball

* John Abramovic - Fmr. NBA player
* Andrew Bogut - Australian NBA player of Croatian descent (Drafted 1st Overall 2005)
* Dražen Petrović - NBA Hall of Famer
* Dražen Dalipagić - NBA Hall of Famer
* Krešimir Ćosić - NBA Hall of Famer
* Frank Drmic - Australian basketball player
* Gordan Giriček - NBA player
* Vinko Jelovac - basketball player
* Željko Jerkov - basketball player
* Mario Kasun - NBA player
* Toni Kukoč - NBA player (NBA Sixth Man of the Year, 1995-1996 season)
* Jack Marin - Fmr. American NBA Star
* Kevin McHale - NBA Hall of Famer (Croatian mother)
* George Mikan - NBA Hall of Famer
* Dražen Petrović - NBA Hall of Famer
* Zoran Planinić - NBA player
* Dino Rađa - Fmr. NBA player
* Dalibor Bagarić - Fmr. NBA player
* Steve Stipanovich - Fmr. NBA player, No.2 pick in 1983 NBA Draft
* Bruno Šundov - Fmr. NBA player
* Žan Tabak - Fmr. NBA player
* Rudy Tomjanovich - Fmr. NBA player and coach, No.2 pick in 1970 NBA Draft
* Andy Tonkovich - 1948 first NBA pick
* Andrew Vlahov - Fmr. Australian NBA player
* Stojko Vranković - Fmr. NBA player
* Vedran Vukusic - Fmr. Northwestern Wildcats basketball, Big Ten leading scorer 2005-2006
* Franjo Arapović - Fmr. NBA PlayerSee Old Timers for a list of early day NBA players of Croatian descent

Cricketers

* Simon Katich - Australian cricket player
* Anton Devcich - NZ cricket player
* Joseph Yovich - NZ cricket player
* Leonard Stephen Pascoe - Australian cricket player

Handball

* Hrvoje Horvat - Handball player
* Mirza Džomba
* Ivano Balić
* Petar Metličić
* Blaženko Lacković
* Vlado Šola
* Slavko Goluža
* Irfan Smajlagić
* Patrik Ćavar

Hockey

* Frank Mahovlich - NHL Hall of Famer (1958 Calder Trophy Winner)
* Peter Mahovlich - Fmr. NHL player, nr. 2 in 1963 NHL Amateur Draft
* Joe Sakic - NHL player (2001 Hart Memorial Trophy Winner)
* John Kordic - Fmr. NHL player
* Dan Kordic - Fmr. NHL player
* Mark Pavelich - Fmr. NHL player (Miracle On Ice)
* Matt Pavelich - first NHL linesman inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
* Marty Pavelich - Fmr. NHL player
* Cory Sarich - NHL player
* Adrien Plavsic - ( [Serb] father, [Croat] mother) Fmr. NHL player
* Tony Hrkac - Fmr. NHL player
* Joel Prpic - Hockey player (brief appearance in the NHL)
* Rob Valicevic - NHL player
* David Spanjol - WPHA player

Rugby

* Dean Bosnich - Rugby League player
* Frano Botica - Rugby Union player
* Ned Catic - Rugby League player
* Ivan Cleary - Rugby League player and coach
* Danny Crnkovic - Rugby League player
* Ivan Henjak - Rugby League player
* Matt Henjak - Rugby Union player
* Max Krilich - Rugby league player
* Dan Luger - Rugby Union player
* Tony Mestrov - Rugby League player
* James Stosic - NZ Rugby League player
* Anthony Boric - Rugby Union player

Volleyball

* Marcos Milinkovic - Argentine volleyball player
* Alejandro Spajic - Argentine volleyball player

Waterpolo

* Ozren Bonačić - Fmr. water polo player & coach
* Perica Bukić - Water polo player and politician
* Milivoj Bebić

Other Sports

* Filip Petrović - world champion powerlifter
* Mirko Filipovic - K1,UFC,PRIDE fighter
* Matija Ljubek - Kayakist
* Sofia Mulanovich - famous Peruvian surfer
* Dean Lukin - Weightlifter
* Bruno Bulic - Cyclist
* Val and Sandra Bezic - Canadian figure skating pair
* Franjo Mihalic - Marathon athlete
* Štefica Krištof - Bowling champion
* The Great Antonio - Strongman and eccentric
* Marijan Matijasevich - "The strongest man in the world"
* Juraj Barbaric - Strongman
* Frank Nobilo - NZ Golfer
* Luka Grubor - UK Olympic Gold Medalist (Rowing)
*Luigi Digiosaffatte
*

See also

*List of VFL/AFL players by ethnicity