Zeljko Dimitrijevic

Started: He took up Para athletics in 1997 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019) Reason: He played football before his accident, then took up Para sport to remain active and as a form of recreation. His talent was noticed by coach Vlastimir Golubovic. (b92.net, 26 Aug 2016; Athlete, 23 Oct 2015) Milestones: He became the first Serbian athlete from any sport to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games by claiming victory in the F31/32/51 club throw at the 2012 Games in London. Four years later he became the first Serbian to win more than one Paralympic gold medal when he won the F51 club throw at Rio 2016. (SportsDeskOnline, 07 Aug 2018; paralympic.org, 03 Feb 2014) Awards: He and fellow athletics competitor Saska Sokolov were Serbia's flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (medias.paris2024.org, 28 Aug 2024) He was Serbia's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2018 European Championships in Berlin, Germany. (IPC, 20 Aug 2018) In 2015 and 2016 he was named the Best Male Para Athlete in Belgrade, Serbia. (Klub Sampiona YouTube channel, 03 Jun 2017; sportskisavezbeograda.org.rs, 25 Dec 2015) In 2012, 2015, and 2017 he was named Male Athlete of the Year by the Paralympic Committee of Serbia [PKS]. (b92.net, 26 Aug 2016; novosti.rs, 06 Feb 2013; blic.rs, 01 Mar 2018) In 2012 he was presented with the Majska Nagrada award, the most prestigious honour given by the Sports Association of Serbia. (b92.net, 26 Aug 2016) Additional Info: CAREER BREAKS He announced his retirement from Para athletics following his gold medal in the F51 club throw at the 2017 World Championships in London, England, but decided to return to the sport a few months later. "I wanted to retire, but people persuaded me to continue training to claim more gold medals for Serbia." He later took a two-year break from the sport after competing at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo due to health reasons. He returned to competition in 2023. (kurir.rs, 28 May 2024; novosti.rs, 19 Jul 2017; rtv.rs, 03 Apr 2018; alo.rs, 08 Mar 2018) PERSONAL LOSS He was particularly affected when his teammate and fellow club thrower, Milos Mitic, died at age 30 in September 2018. "He was like a brother to me. We were together at so many events and so often we proudly listened to our anthem on the podium. During every major competition, I'm going to throw having him in my mind and heart. I have another reason to give my best now. Milos will be in my heart and in my every throw." (ZdravljeTV channel on YouTube, 08 Oct 2018) FAMILY He was raised by his grandmother. "She is my angel in heaven who protects me and gives me strength. She was a great fighter and she taught me to fight. I couldn't give her all she deserved when she was alive, but now I dedicate everything I achieve to her." (TV Prva Exploziv, 24 Feb 2017)