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Blanka VlasichTrack and field athlete
Date of Birth: 08.11.1983
Country:  Croatia |
Content:
- Blanka Vlašić: Croatia's Soaring High Jumper
- Overcoming Challenges
- Sporting Success
- Olympic Heartbreak
- Medical Setback and Return
- Personal Life
Blanka Vlašić: Croatia's Soaring High Jumper
Early Life and CareerBorn in Split, Croatia on November 8, 1983, Blanka Vlašić embarked on an athletic journey inspired by her father, an international decathlete. Initially drawn to sprinting, her exceptional height and lanky physique led her towards high jumping.
By age 16, Vlašić had cleared 1.93 meters, qualifying her for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Despite failing to qualify for the finals, she triumphed at the World Junior Championships in Santiago, Chile, with a gold medal jump of 1.91 meters.
Overcoming Challenges
In 2003, Vlašić soared over the 2-meter mark in Zagreb. However, health struggles plagued her in 2005, as she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. After undergoing surgery, she had a limited season in 2005.
Sporting Success
2006 marked a resurgence for Vlašić, setting a new personal best of 2.05 meters. In 2007, she went on an incredible 18-1 winning streak, including a national record-breaking jump of 2.07 meters in Stockholm. She narrowly missed the world record of 2.09 meters with three attempts at the time. At the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, she claimed the gold medal with a jump of 2.05 meters.
Olympic Heartbreak
Vlašić's winning streak was broken at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she earned a silver medal, outjumped only by Belgium's Tia Hellebaut. Despite multiple victories in the Golden League, she ultimately missed out on the million-dollar jackpot after losing the final round to Ariane Friedrich of Germany.
Medical Setback and Return
Medical issues prevented Vlašić from competing at the 2012 London Olympics. However, she triumphed in 2014, winning in Prague with a jump of 2.00 meters. She went on to win the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Personal Life
Vlašić's family is a testament to athletic prowess. Her father, Joško, holds the Croatian record in decathlon, while her mother, Venera, pursued basketball and cross-country skiing. She has three younger brothers: Marin, a handball player; Luka, a basketball player; and Nikola, a footballer who played for CSKA Moscow and currently plays for West Ham United. Named after the Moroccan city of Casablanca, Blanka is a devout Roman Catholic who was baptized in 2013. She opposes same-sex marriage, expressing her views during the 2013 referendum.
