Luka Čarapović Breaks Croatian Record in 50m Backstroke in Paris
The 20-year-old member of PK Mursa Osijek swam 25.36 at the European Championships in Paris, becoming the fastest Croatian in the history of the event.
The 20-year-old member of PK Mursa Osijek swam 25.36 at the European Championships in Paris, becoming the fastest Croatian in the history of the event.
Luka Čarapović, a 20-year-old swimmer from Osijek, is Croatia's new absolute record holder in the 50m backstroke. At the European Championships in Paris on August 13, 2026, he clocked 25.36 seconds, becoming the fastest Croatian ever in this discipline, as reported by HRT Regija Osijek.
With his time of 25.36, Čarapović surpassed the achievements of Croatian swimming legends such as Gordan Kožulj, Marko Strahija, and Nikola Miljenić. In a highly competitive field of Europe's best swimmers, the young Osijek native finished 35th in the heats, just 46 hundredths of a second short of advancing to the semifinals.
What makes this result even more impressive is that Čarapović is only a junior senior and the youngest member of the Croatian national swimming team, competing against established and experienced European swimmers.
From PK Mursa Osijek, they emphasize that behind the time of 25.36 lie years of dedication, discipline, and thousands of kilometers in the pool, along with work under coach Ivan Koščević.
"Behind that 25.36 are years of hard work, discipline, thousands of kilometers in the pool, and training with coach Ivan Koščević. The two of them continue this story in the new Swimming Club Mursa Osijek, where we aim, through professional guidance and a positive atmosphere, to create conditions for Luka and generations of young swimmers from Osijek," the club stated.
Čarapović had already made a historic breakthrough last year by competing at the World Championships in Singapore. After the European Championships in Paris, the 2026 season includes the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, and in December, the World Championships in Beijing.
"We thank everyone who has been part of this journey over the years, coaches, family, friends, clubs, sports institutions, and people who helped when needed. This result bears Luka's name, but behind it stands a lot of work and support from sincere and selfless people," the club from PK Mursa Osijek said.
