Vedran Jakšić was born in Šibenik, in 1953. He started his career in bodybuilding in 1988, appearing at the Croatian championship, where he came 5 th . Already by 1989 he wins 2 nd place at the Yugoslavian championship, which was the only medal that was won by the Croats. In October 1991 he appears at the European championship in Porto San Giorgio ( Italy ) as the first bodybuilder from independent Croatia , where he wins 4 th place. Thus becomes the first Croatian representative from Šibenik, and one of the first representatives of Croatia in sport. He is the first in Šibenik to be ranked a superb athlete by the Croatian Sports Federation. However, Radio Šibenik, the Šibenik paper, Slobodna Dalmatia, and the Croatian TV were silent about the matter.

In1993 he wins the Podravina international cup, and acquires his first of many gold medals at Croatian championships. He becomes the first state champion, from Šibenik, in independent Croatia . He immediately appears at the World Championship (in Spain ) , at his expense, to promote Croatian sport and Croatia . The Croatian Olympic board awards him with the name “an excellent Croatian athlete”. In the newspaper “Večernji List” a text is printed, later published in the book “A Stone for the Mosaic Called War 1991-1995”.

Vedran Jakšić has always been a Šibenik sports institution “behind the lines”. Behind the lines, because despite his excellent results that he has achieved, he has never managed to obtain the support of the town's official sports institution, which with reason bears the title of one the most athletic regions in Croatia . Today Šibenik has 4 clubs that participate in the main

state leagues. Basketball is one of the sports that has created many great players; names like Dražen Petrović, Aleksander Petrović, Ivica Žurić, Jurić, Badžim … do not need special introduction. The fencers from Rogoznica have been recently obtaining many medals in fencing, also our swimmers, rowers etc. But if we look at Šibenik sport as a whole, Vedran Jakšić is Šibenik's most awarded athlete. An athlete that has accomplished many things and what is more important is that he achieved all of this in a time of war. However all these achievements were not enough to bear the title “Šibenik athlete of the year”, neither did he receive any financial help.

In 1994 Vedran wins his second state title, the Šibenik newspaper (Šibenski list) prints an article titled “The town of Krešimir , Europe and the world are in Šibenik”, “To become state champion once, is every athletes dream, only the top athletes can be state champions twice in a row. 0n the 8 th of October in Zagreb , Vedran Jakšić a member of the bodybuilding club “Vir”, defended his title. However the public is not aware of the problems he had to face before participating in the championship. Very few people devote any attention to this very attractive sport. Jakšić on numerous occasions has knocked on city official's doors to obtain mere financial support, but his efforts were ignored. In return he has tasted fame, but the flavor doesn't last forever.” In 1995 Vedran participates at the Mediterranean Championship ( Portugal ), where he is the first and only bodybuilder from Croatia , and manages to return home with a medal.

From 1996 to 1999 Vedran becomes state champion four times in a row and in 2000 he wins his eighth title in a row. All of that time he was a member of the bodybuilding club “Vir”.

In the year 2000, Vedran begins his conquest for the world champion title, and in that same year wins second place at the NABBA/WFF world championship in the super body category.

In 2001, the Šibenik town council awards him with a plaque (plaque of the town of Šibenik) for his accomplishment. Vedran acquired his first plaque in 1998, for voluntary work with children. In 2001 he wins fourth place and repeats it in 2002. On the 22 nd of November 2003 at the 23 rd NABBA/WFF world championship in Moscow , Vedran Jakšić, as a member of the bodybuilding club “Vir”, becomes world champion in the super body category. Vedran Jakšić has never been declared “athlete of the year” in his home town, neither acquired a scholarship or cash prize.

One of the most exceptional athletes from Šibenik was Dražen Petrovič, the Croatian basketball wizard. Born in Šibenik in 1964, he was the best European basketball player ever. Dražen's legendary journey to stardom begun 25 years ago in Šibenik, when he was only 13 years old. Šibenka was still then in the second division. Two years later “Petro” wins his first medal at the cadet state championship for 3 rd place, and Šibenka manages to enter the first division. Dražen was already in the starting five, for Šibenka's coach Zoran Slavić there was no doubt whether 15 year old was ready for first division competition. It didn't take long for results. Šibenika played in the final of the Koraća Cup against Limoge twice, and in 1983 they made it to the state playoffs final against Bosna. In that final game Dražen's free throw points changed the outcome of the game. Šibenka was champion, the medals were handed out, and the basketball virtuoso in front thousands of Šibenka fans gave a speech on the Poljana. His brother Aleksander would later say that Dražen had an ability to gather older people around him, because at the age of 18 he was already a leader of his team.

More on Drazen Petrovic

Perica Bukić was born on the 20 th of February 1966 in Šibenik. His brilliant water polo career began in the late 70s and in early 80s, in the water polo club Solaris. Although a basketball player, he got in a pool because the doctor recommended it for his bad back. We are glad he stuck to water polo. With the club, Perica won many state championships, but the thing he will be remembered for is the fact that he became an Olympic gold medal winner in Los Angeles . Never has an athlete from Šibenik won an Olympic gold medal. (A magnificent reception in Šibenik.)

40 trophies
Perica Bukić has won 40 trophies in his career, 2 olympic gold medals, one from Los Angeles , the second from Seoul 1988, and a Olympic silver medal from Atlanta 1996. With the Croatian water polo team he won two world championships, Madrid 86, and Perth 91. He won a handful of medals from European championships, Mediterranean games, and the Goodwill games. He won 25 club trophies, and won them as a member of the water polo club “Mladost”, where he played the rest of his career after he left “Solaris” in 1987. He has won many awards, but one award that deserves recognition is the “Doctor Franjo Bučar” award, for the best water polo player of the year. He won that award seven times in a row and also the “Šibenik athlete of the year” award three times (1984, 1985, and 1986).

Solaris state champion a dream never fulfilled.

Currently he is the director of the Zagreb team “Mladost” chairman of the Olympic Athletes Club, a member of the board of directors of the European Club Association (AWPC), chairman of the Croatian Water Polo Association, and a member of the Croatian Olympic Council. Throughout his magnificent career Bukić has always emphasized his bond with his home town and with the club Solaris and he always regretted that he never won a medal with his club.

Šibenik is proud of Perica Bukić, water polo king and a great man, who has concluded a brilliant career. He now is commencing a new career as an official, and with his knowledge, experience, international reputation and connections will indeed help Croatian sport and the olympic movement.

The cycling club “Fortica” officially began to function on the 17 th of January 2000 . Why FORTICA? We were inspired by the view of the fort of St Michael (town patron), which is located in the vicinity of our club, and the word “Fortica” is ingrained among the citizens of Šibenik. A handful of “cycling lovers” founded this club believing that they could contribute to the development of cycling in Šibenik.

Thanks to enthusiastic members (volunteers), hard work and the support of parents and sponsors, the club has managed to achieve significant results despite difficult conditions.

We take this opportunity to invite everyone to assist us, our work and our club.