Table tennis is a popular sport in Serbia, and the country has produced some of the best table tennis players in the world. Serbia is home to several world-class athletes who have achieved great success in the sport.
In recent years, Serbia has become a powerhouse in the table tennis world, producing players who have won multiple World Championships, European Championships, and Olympic medals.
This article will take a look at some of the best table tennis players in Serbia and discuss their accomplishments and contributions to the sport.
1. Dimitrije Levajac
Dimitrije Levajac is a Serbian table tennis player who made a historic appearance in the 2020 Summer Olympics. He competed in both the men’s singles and men’s team tournaments.
However, his performance in the singles event was short-lived as he was eliminated in the first round by Russian table tennis player Kirill Skachkov. Despite the early exit in the singles, Levajac remained in the tournament to compete in the team tournament.
Despite his early elimination in the singles, Levajac continued to represent his country in the team tournament, where he and his teammates had the chance to compete for a medal. He and his teammates worked hard to put on a good performance but ultimately came up short.
Although they didn’t manage to medal, Levajac and his team can be commended for their effort and determination.
2. Borislav Stanković
Borislav “Bora” Stanković was a legendary figure in the world of basketball. He was a Serbian player and coach and was known for his long-term contributions to the sport. As a player, he represented the Yugoslavian national basketball team in 36 international games.
After his playing career ended, he continued to be involved in the sport and became a major figure in the governing bodies of basketball, such as FIBA and the International Olympic Committee.
In these roles, he became an important advocate for the development of the sport and was instrumental in helping to grow basketball both in Europe and around the world.
His legacy lives on in the sport to this day, and he is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of basketball.
3. Aleksandar Karakašević
Aleksandar Karakašević is a Serbian table tennis player whose impressive backhand has made him a formidable opponent for some of the best players in the world.
His backhand is renowned for its power and accuracy, both of which have been instrumental in helping him defeat some of the top players.
He has also had a great deal of success in international competitions, most notably at the 2011 European Championship where he won a bronze medal. This was a huge accomplishment for both Aleksandar and Serbia, reinforcing the country’s standing as a major player in the sport.
His success has been a great source of pride for the Serbian people and has inspired a new generation of aspiring athletes. Aleksandar is an excellent example of how dedication and hard work can help someone achieve their dreams and goals.
4. Ilija Lupulesku
Ilija Lupulesku is a well-known figure in the world of table tennis. He first competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics for Serbia, his country of birth. He went on to compete in four more Summer Olympics over the course of his career, from 1992 to 2004.
In 2002, Ilija became a naturalized U.S. citizen and went on to compete for the United States from 2004 to 2006. Ilija’s long and decorated career has made him a highly respected figure in the table tennis world.
He has earned a number of accolades throughout his career, including a gold medal at the 1996 World Championships.
He has also made a number of appearances in international tournaments, including the World Team Championships, World Cup, and European Championships. Ilija’s commitment to the sport of table tennis is unparalleled.
He has dedicated his life to the sport and has been an inspiration to many aspiring players. His passion for the sport has made him a role model for young athletes around the world.
His success has been a testament to how hard work and dedication can pay off, no matter what the odds are.
5. Zoran Kalinić
Zoran Kalinić is a Serbian retired table tennis player who had a storied playing career. He represented SFR Yugoslavia and FR Yugoslavia, two different countries in the former Yugoslavia.
During his time playing for SFR Yugoslavia, he was a four-time European champion and three-time World champion. He also won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
After the dissolution of SFR Yugoslavia, Kalinić continued to play for FR Yugoslavia and captured the European Cup in 1995. Kalinić was known for his aggressive playing style and was considered one of the best players in the world during his career.
He was also a notable coach, having trained some of the top players in Serbia, including Novak Djokovic. Kalinić retired from professional play in 1997 and currently serves as the president of the Serbian Table Tennis Association.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Serbian table tennis players of all time and is credited with helping to popularize the sport in the country.
6. Silvija Erdelji
Silvija Erdelji is a Serbian table tennis player who achieved great success in her career. She earned two bronze medals in singles and doubles at the 2003 European Table Tennis Championship.
Her excellent performance earned her a spot to compete in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. In 2005, Erdelji became the Mediterranean doubles champion, further cementing her place as a successful and talented player.
She is a role model for many future table tennis players, showing them that hard work and dedication can lead to great achievements. Erdelji’s career is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination.
7. Brana Vlasic
Branislava “Brana” Vlasic is a Serbian-American table tennis player with a long history of success in the sport. She began her career at the young age of six in Serbia, where she quickly developed a passion for the game.
At thirteen, she relocated to San Diego with her family and began training with the 1971 Table Tennis World Champion, Stellan Bengtsson. Under Bengtsson’s tutelage, Brana flourished and quickly became one of the highest-ranked US players in the junior circuit.
Throughout her career, Brana has consistently proven her excellence in the sport and is now widely considered one of the top players in the world.
8. Biljana Golić
Biljana “Biba” Golić is a Serbian professional table tennis player. She began playing table tennis at the age of 7 and has since become one of the most successful Serbian players on the international circuit.
She has won multiple medals in international competitions, including three gold medals at the European Championships. Golić is known for her aggressive style of play, which has enabled her to defeat some of the world’s top players.
She has been part of the Serbian National Team since 2009 and has represented her country in multiple international tournaments.
Her success has helped to raise the profile of the sport in Serbia, and she is considered to be a role model for aspiring athletes in her home country.
Golić is a highly respected player in the table tennis world, and her skill and dedication have earned her the respect of her peers.
9. Borislava Perić-Ranković
Borislava Perić-Ranković is a disabled Serbian table tennis player who has achieved success in the Paralympic Games. She has been competing in Paralympic table tennis since 2008, where she won a silver medal and represented Serbia.
In 2012, she again represented Serbia at the Paralympic Games and won a silver medal. In 2016, she returned to the Paralympics and this time won a gold medal, along with another silver medal.
She competes in the disability class 4, which is one of the five classes of disability in table tennis. Her success is a testament to her dedication and hard work, as she has been able to overcome her disability and achieve her goals.
Her achievements in table tennis have served as an inspiration to people around the world, who have been touched by her story.
10. Milivoj Karakašević
Milivoj Karakašević was a prominent figure in the world of table tennis. He was a Serbian international table tennis player who represented Yugoslavia in the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, Karakašević was considered one of the best players in the world.
He was a multiple-time Yugoslavian champion and was also a member of the Yugoslavian national team at the World Table Tennis Championships. Karakašević was known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to think ahead of his opponents.
He was also a master of the forehand loop drive, which he used effectively to win points. Karakašević was also a successful coach after his playing career. He coached the Yugoslavian national team from 1989 to 2003, winning several medals in international competitions.
He also coached the Serbian national team from 2004 to 2017, leading them to a gold medal in the European Championships in 2005.
After his coaching career, Karakašević was inducted into the International Table Tennis Hall of Fame in 2018. Milivoj Karakašević is remembered as one of the greatest table tennis players to ever compete for Yugoslavia.
His dedication and skill are an inspiration to the current generation of players, and his legacy will live on in the sport for years to come.
11. Marko Jevtović
Marko Jevtović is a highly accomplished Serbian table tennis player. His career highlights include a bronze medal in the Men’s doubles at the 2009 Summer Universiade, and a bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Men’s singles category.
Although he was unable to progress past the first round of the Olympics, this feat alone is a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport. Jevtović is a well-respected figure in Serbian table tennis and is known for his exceptional technique and tactical play.
He is known for his ability to quickly adapt to different opponents and strategies and has a knack for quickly assessing the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents.
This has allowed him to remain competitive at the highest level of the sport. Jevtović is an inspiration to aspiring table tennis players in Serbia and around the world.
His relentless pursuit of excellence, and ability to remain competitive despite difficult circumstances, is something that many young players strive to emulate. His accomplishments are a reminder of the importance of dedication and hard work in achieving one’s goals.
12. Mitar Palikuća
Mitar Palikuća is an inspiring figure in the world of sports. He is a Serbian disabled table tennis player who has achieved remarkable success despite his disability. He has won Serbia’s first medal at the Summer Paralympics in Rio, which is an incredible feat.
Not only did he make Serbia proud, but he also showed that people with disabilities can still achieve great things if they put their mind to it.
The fact that he was able to overcome the obstacles posed by his disability and still compete in the world’s biggest sporting event is a testament to his determination and hard work.
He has become a role model for many people, and his story is one that will continue to be shared and inspire others.
13. Izabela Lupulesku
Izabela Lupulesku is a Serbian table tennis player who has achieved much success in her career. She is one of the leading Serbian table tennis players and has represented Serbia in several international tournaments.
Her highest career International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) ranking was 89, which she achieved in 2019. This ranking is a testament to her skill and dedication to the sport of table tennis. Izabela Lupulesku has been competing in table tennis since she was a young girl.
She has won numerous tournaments and has been honored with several awards in her career. She has competed in numerous international tournaments, including the European Table Tennis Championship, and has achieved a great deal of success in those competitions.
Her focus, determination, and talent have propelled her to become one of the top table tennis players in the world. Izabela Lupulesku has shown that she is a serious contender in the world of table tennis and her highest career ITTF ranking is a testament to that.
Her commitment to her sport and dedication to improving her game have allowed her to reach the top of the sport and have earned her the respect of her peers and fans.
She is an inspiration to young table tennis players around the world and her success serves as an example of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
14. Gordana Perkučin
Gordana Perkučin is a renowned Yugoslav and Serbian table tennis player who is most notably known for having competed in the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics. She was born in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, where she developed a love for the sport at a young age.
As Perkučin grew older, she honed her skills and eventually competed in the Yugoslav National Championships, where she won several titles. In 1988, she competed in the Summer Olympics held in Seoul, South Korea.
Her performance was impressive, making it to the quarterfinals in the women’s singles event. She ended up finishing in fifth place overall. In 1992, she returned to the Summer Olympics, this time held in Barcelona, Spain.
Despite her impressive showing in Seoul, she was unable to replicate her success and did not make it past the first round. Gordana Perkučin’s career in table tennis has been impressive and her numerous accomplishments have solidified her place in the sport’s history.
Her two appearances in the Summer Olympics will remain a testament to her skill and dedication to the game. Her influence in the sport has been tremendous, inspiring many aspiring players to pursue table tennis as a profession.
15. Slobodan Grujić
Slobodan Grujić is a highly accomplished male Serbian table tennis player. He is a member of the Fenerbahçe TT team since 2007 and has represented them in various tournaments and competitions.
Prior to joining Fenerbahçe TT, Grujić had played for Novi Sad TT in Serbia and TTV RE-BAU Gönnern in Germany. He is a well-known and respected figure in the international table tennis community, having achieved numerous successes and awards throughout his career.
He is a dedicated player who has dedicated his life to the sport and continues to strive for excellence in each and every match.
16. Tatjana Ječmenica
Tatjana Ječmenica is a renowned table tennis player and coach from the former Yugoslavian countries of Serbia and Slovenia. She was born in Serbia and began her career in the early 1990s when table tennis was gaining popularity in the region.
She quickly became an international sensation, competing in numerous tournaments around the world.
Tatjana’s biggest achievements include winning the European Championship in 2001 and becoming the first female player from Serbia and Slovenia to win a professional tournament in the United States.
She was also the first female player from Yugoslavia to participate in the Olympics, representing Serbia and Montenegro in the 2004 Athens Games. Aside from her competitive career, Tatjana was also a very successful coach.
She was the head coach of the Serbian National Team for nearly a decade, leading them to two World Team Championships and numerous other international titles. She also served as the Head of Coaching for the Slovenian National Team from 2011 to 2014.
Tatjana Ječmenica is an important figure in the world of table tennis and is remembered for her remarkable achievements both as a player and as a coach. Her legacy remains, and she is an inspiration to athletes everywhere.
17. Zlatko Kesler
Zlatko Kesler is an inspiring figure in the world of sports. He is a Serbian disabled table tennis player who has achieved incredible success despite his disability.
Kesler has won five medals at the Paralympic Games, including two gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal. This is an impressive feat for any athlete, let alone someone with a disability.
Furthermore, Kesler was the Serbian flag bearer at the 2008 Summer Paralympics held in Beijing, China. This is a strong testament to his character and strength as an athlete and a human being.
Zlatko Kesler is a symbol of perseverance and courage, and a reminder that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
Conclusion
Serbia has produced some of the best table tennis players in the world. Players such as Vladimir Samsonov, Aleksandar Karakašević, and Bojan Tokić have all achieved success on the international stage.
Serbia is a nation with a rich history in the sport of table tennis and its players continue to dominate the world rankings. They are a true testament to the passion and dedication that this sport demands from all its players.
