The Croatian national rowing team has arrived in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where the World Rowing Under 19 Championships will take place from 6 to 9 August 2026. Among the world's best young rowers, Roko Mijić will represent Croatia and our club.
Roko will compete in the junior men's quadruple sculls (JM4x) alongside Karlo Svirčić, Šime Ravnjak and Petar Hrkać. The crew has shown great potential for some time. Coached by Zlatko Katušin – Minja, the four rowers have completed a strong preparation period. His experience and race tactics will be important against a competitive field of 18 crews on the Plovdiv course.
Alongside the national team staff, our club coaches also deserve recognition for Roko's place at the World Championships. They have worked with him every day on the Neretva and laid the foundations for his development as a rower.
The club's logistical team has also received an important recognition. Davor Gnječ, secretary of VK Neretvanski gusar, is part of the Croatian Rowing Federation's official delegation. His presence will provide additional support for Roko and the whole Croatian team during the championships.
Racing began on Thursday, 6 August, with the first heats for the Croatian crews in Plovdiv.
The World Championships in numbers
Plovdiv will welcome 660 young rowers from 55 nations, with medals awarded across 14 boat classes. This is the 59th edition of the World Rowing Under 19 Championships and the third time Plovdiv has hosted the event. Croatia's quadruple sculls crew is one of 18 entries, with Germany, Poland and Denmark—the medallists from this year's European Championships—among its main rivals.
Roko and the Croatian quad reach the semifinals
Croatia's junior men's quadruple sculls crew has qualified for the semifinals of the World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Plovdiv. Roko Mijić, Karlo Svirčić, Šime Ravnjak and Petar Hrkać placed third in their heat in 6:15.81.
Denmark won the heat in 6:14.28, while second-placed USA finished just 0.73 seconds ahead of the Croatian crew. The first two crews qualified directly, with Croatia advancing as one of the six fastest remaining crews across all heats.
The result guaranteed Croatia a place among the top 12 crews in the world. In Friday's second semifinal, the crew placed sixth in 6:15.46. Great Britain, Italy and France advanced to the A final, while Croatia will continue in the B final.
B final for the final ranking
Croatia will race in the B final on Saturday, 8 August, at 9:22 Croatian time. Roko and the crew will again start in lane six, competing for an overall ranking between seventh and 12th against the Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), Belgium, China, South Africa and the United States.
Races and results are available through the official World Rowing event page, while Roko's heat can be watched in the Day 1 afternoon programme on YouTube.
Good luck to Roko and the whole crew in their final race!
Photos: Nives Crnogaća, Davor Gnječ, Boris Martin.
