We Asked Celebrated Croat What He'll Do Next: 'With That Salary, I Can't Feed My Family'

Damir Martin, a celebrated Croatian rower with an impressive collection of Olympic and European medals, is embarking on a new chapter in his distinguished career. While his prowess in single sculls is legendary, the 37-year-old athlete is now channeling his energy into the quadruple sculls, a strategic move to extend his competitive longevity and contribute to the national team's success. Večernji List explores Martin's evolving ambitions and the rationale behind this significant shift.

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Skif stoji u hangaru, na polici, do jesenskih priprema ili do nekih treninga tijekom sezone ali sve u svrhu ubrzanja četverca.

Martin's decision reflects a mature approach to athletic performance, acknowledging the physical demands of elite single sculls rowing. By joining a larger crew, he benefits from shared effort, potentially less intense individual training oscillations, and the psychological boost of teamwork. This transition allows him to remain a formidable force in the sport while managing his energy more effectively. His immediate goal is to secure a spot in the national quadruple sculls team for the upcoming World Cup in Seville, demonstrating his continued commitment to high-level competition.

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Ako mi jedino to ostane, ako će to biti jedina prilika da idem u Los Angeles, onda ću se toga prihvatiti, motivirat ću se. Ali da sada baš toliko želim, da gorim kao prijašnjih godina, moram reći da nemam više toliko žara.

Beyond his personal competitive goals, Martin is also investing in the future of Croatian rowing by coaching. He is currently mentoring Petra Mardešić, recognized as Croatia's top female single sculls rower, showcasing his dedication to nurturing emerging talent. While his primary focus is now on the quadruple sculls, Martin has not entirely closed the door on a potential return to single sculls, particularly if it presents a viable path to the Los Angeles Olympics. This flexibility underscores his enduring passion for the sport and his desire to contribute to Croatian rowing at every level, whether as an athlete or a mentor.

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Vjerujem da je velika. Nas ima šest koji konkuriramo za taj četverac. Za početak smo Talaja, Šuk, Mahmutović i ja a tu su još Šain i Bošković i moramo još vidjeti koja su najbolja četvorica na nacionalnoj razini.