Tijana Korent: Croatian Gymnast's Three-Decade Journey and Passion Beyond the Vault
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Tijana Korent, a member of the Croatian gymnastics team, has dedicated over three decades to the sport, specializing in the vault.
- She is considered one of the longest-serving athletes in Croatian gymnastics, starting at age five.
- Korent has achieved significant milestones, including being the first Croatian senior female gymnast to reach the European Championship final in 2013 and winning multiple international competitions.
Tijana Korent has been a fixture in Croatian gymnastics for over thirty years, demonstrating remarkable longevity and dedication to the sport. Specializing in the vault, she began her journey at the tender age of five and has since become one of the most enduring figures in Croatian gymnastics history.
I started gymnastics at five years old and I can say that I am among the senior athletes with the longest tenure in Croatia among all who have gone through Croatian gymnastics.
Her career is marked by significant achievements, including becoming the first Croatian senior female gymnast to compete in the European Championship final in 2013. This milestone followed her junior debut in 2002, fulfilling a long-held ambition. Korent also cherishes victories in the World Cup and her first World Championship appearance, highlighting the "firsts" that hold special meaning.
Yes, milliseconds really separate you from a mistake. A wrong step, a wrong movement, a little to the side and you can miss the board or the horse. Everything must be, as they say, 'by the line'.
Korent comes from a prominent sports family, with her father a former footballer and her brother and husband involved in handball. This athletic background has undoubtedly influenced her career. Despite facing serious injuries, including a broken leg that required surgery, she has persevered, maintaining her passion for the sport even as she approaches 37.
A lot. Dad Stevo was a footballer, brother Tibor is in handball, husband Karlo is also in handball, and mom Sonja has been active all her life and participates in various sports recreationally.
With the European Championships set to be held in Zagreb this year, Korent anticipates a powerful performance fueled by the home crowd's energy. She also dedicates time to volunteering with a cat rescue association, having helped save over 500 felines, showcasing a commitment beyond her athletic pursuits.
I am extremely proud of that. My first European Championship was in 2002 in Patras, Greece, as a junior, and the whole atmosphere captivated me. After that, I told myself that I would like to be in the final of the European Championship one day.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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