Duje Bonačić facts for kids
Bonačić (right) at the 1952 Olympics
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Quick facts for kids Personal information |
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| Born | April 10, 1929 Split, Yugoslavia |
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| Died | January 24, 2020 (aged 90) Split, Croatia |
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| Sport | Rowing | |||||||||||||
| Club | HVK Gusar, Split | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Duje Bonačić was a famous Croatian rower. He won a gold medal for Yugoslavia at the 1952 Summer Olympics. This big win was in the "coxless four" rowing event. He was born in Split, which is in Croatia, on April 10, 1929. He passed away on January 24, 2020, at the age of 90.
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Duje Bonačić: An Olympic Champion
Duje Bonačić was a remarkable athlete. He is best known for his Olympic gold medal. This medal was a huge achievement for him and his country.
Early Life and Rowing Start
Duje Bonačić was born in Split, a city in Croatia. His father was Croatian, and his mother was Slovenian. He had an older brother named Vojko and a sister named Nevenka.
When he was younger, Duje was quite thin. He weighed only 56 kilograms (about 123 pounds). He was also tall, at 183 centimeters (about 6 feet). To help him build muscles, he started rowing. This sport helped him become stronger and fitter.
He studied natural sciences in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. This shows he was not only a great athlete but also a smart student.
Olympic Gold in Helsinki
Duje Bonačić became an Olympic champion in 1952. He competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. He was part of the Yugoslavian team.
His team competed in the "coxless four" event. In this type of rowing, four rowers work together. There is no coxswain, who usually steers the boat. This means the rowers must steer the boat themselves. Duje and his teammates showed amazing teamwork and skill. They won the gold medal, making history for Yugoslavia.
Life After Rowing
After he stopped competing, Duje Bonačić continued to contribute. He became a professor. He taught subjects like geography, meteorology, and oceanography. He shared his knowledge at maritime schools.
He also stayed involved in sports. He worked as a coach for rowers and sailors. He even became a referee for these sports. This shows his lifelong passion for water sports.
A Lasting Legacy
Duje Bonačić lived a long and full life. After another famous athlete, Željko Čajkovski, passed away in 2016, Duje became special. He was then the oldest Croatian Olympic medal winner.
He passed away on January 24, 2020, after a short illness. He was 90 years old. Duje Bonačić will always be remembered as an Olympic hero. He inspired many people with his dedication and achievements.
