Ratko Rudić

Ratko Rudić

Rudić in 2012
Personal information
Born 7 June 1948 (age 66)
Belgrade

Ratko Rudić (born 7 June 1948 in Belgrade[1]) is a Croatian water polo coach and a former water polo player. As of 2012, he has won 36 medals as a coach at major events, making him the most successful water polo coach ever.[2]

Playing career

Rudić played for the Yugoslav water polo team. At the 1968 Olympics he was injured before the tournament and was unable to play with his team which went on to win the gold medal. At the World Cup in 1975, he was falsely accused of doping, and so the entire Yugoslav national team was disqualified. Only after a subsequent investigation proved that Rudic did not take any banned substances, he and his team were exonerated.[3] At the Olympic Games in 1980, he won the silver medal.

Coaching career

During his career Rudic coached four national teams: Yugoslavia (1984–1988), Italy (1990–2000), USA (2000–2004) and Croatia 2004-2012). With three of these teams he became world champion. He also coached three teams to Olympic gold medals (1984, 1988, 1992 and 2012).

References

  1. Bajruši, Robert (21 December 2004). "Ratko Rudić, kraj dobrovoljnog egzila vaterpolskog Tiranina" [Ratko Rudić, the end of voluntary exile of a water polo tyrant]. Nacional (in Croatian) (475). Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  2. "S medaljom iz Šangaja Ratko Rudić drugi najuspješniji svih vremena". Večernji list (in Croatian). 31 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  3. "Ratko Rudić". hvs.hr (in Croatian). Croatian Water Polo Federation. Retrieved 31 July 2011.

External links