Matija Ljubek (Croatian pronunciation: [ʎǔbek]; 22 November 1953 – 11 October 2000) was a Croatian sprint canoeist who competed in the 1970s and 1980s and later became a sports official.[1]
Ljubek's grave at Mirogoj Cemetery. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born | (1953-11-22)22 November 1953 Belišće, PR Croatia, FPR Yugoslavia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 11 October 2000(2000-10-11) (aged 46) Valpovo, Croatia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Resting place | Mirogoj Cemetery, Zagreb | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 85 kg (187 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Country | Yugoslavia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | Canoeing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Born in Belišće, Osijek-Baranja, Ljubek competed in four Summer Olympics where he won four medals. This included two golds (C-1 1000 m: 1976, C-2 500 m: 1984 with Mirko Nišović), one silver (C-2 1000 m: 1984 with Mirko Nišović), and one bronze (C-1 500 m: 1976). His trainer was Laszlo Hingl. He also won ten medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships with four golds (C-1 1000 m: 1978, C-2 500 m: 1982, 1983; C-2 10000 m: 1985), three silvers (C-1 10000 m: 1981, C-2 1000 m: 1982, 1985), and three bronzes (C-1 10000 m: 1975, 1978; C-2 1000 m: 1983).
In 1976 he was awarded a Golden Badge award for best athlete of Yugoslavia.
Ljubek later became vice-president of the Croatian Olympic Committee and served as chef de mission for the Croatian Olympic team.
Ljubek died in 2000 when he was shot by an estranged brother-in-law while trying to defend his mother in Valpovo, Osijek-Baranja, six days after returning from the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Olympic results | ||||
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Event | 1976 Montreal | 1980 Moscow | 1984 Los Angeles | 1988 Seoul |
C-1 500 metres | ![]() |
9th (2:03.43) | — | — |
C-1 1,000 metres | ![]() |
8th (4:22.40) | — | — |
C-2 500 metres | — | — | ![]() |
— |
C-2 1,000 metres | — | 4th (3:51.30) | ![]() |
12th (3:59.04) |
Awards | ||
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Preceded by Nenad Stekić |
![]() 1976 |
Succeeded by Šaban Sejdi |
Preceded by Nenad Stekić |
Yugoslav Sportsman of the Year 1976 |
Succeeded by Šaban Sejdi |
Olympic Games | ||
Preceded by Hrvoje Horvat Dražen Dalipagić |
Flagbearer for ![]() Moscow 1980 Seoul 1988 |
Succeeded by |
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Olympic Canoeing Champions in Men's C-2 500 m | |
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World Champions in Men's Canoe Sprint C-1 1000 m | |
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World Champions in Men's Canoe Sprint C-2 500 m | |
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World Champions in Men's Canoe Sprint C-2 10000 m | |
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Sportske novosti Croatian Sportsman of the Year | |
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Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport – Life Achievement | |
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1990s |
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2000s |
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2010s |
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