Judoka Barbara Matić and archer Miran Maričić have been named the best Croatian athletes in the traditional 73rd annual voting conducted by the Croatian sports daily newspaper Sportske Novosti.

A total of 233 journalists from 48 different media outlets participated in the voting. Matić and Maričić were also recognized as the best Croatian athletes by the Croatian Olympic Committee (HOO).

Last year, the outstanding judoka won an Olympic gold medal in the under-70 kg category, and four months earlier, she claimed European gold at the championship in Zagreb. Matić received 195 votes, while tennis player Donna Vekić placed second with 28 votes. Athlete Sandra Elkasević and diver Mirela Kardašević shared third place with three votes each.

In the men’s category, Maričić secured victory with 157 votes, followed by tennis player Mate Pavić with 52 votes, while boxer Gabrijel Veočić finished third with 15 votes.

The award for the best men’s team of the year went to the “golden” rowers Valent and Martin Sinković for the sixth time, with 126 votes. The water polo team collected 104 votes, while the football team received two.

The best female team award was won by the bowling team Mlaka, with 133 votes. The rowers Josip and Ivana Jurković finished second with 50 votes, while the volleyball team Mladost secured the third place with 25 votes.

The coaches of the year are Nikola Bralić (rowing) and Ivica Tucak (water polo).