 |
|
| Sandro
SUKNO |
| Sport |
Water Polo |
| NOC |
Croatia
|
| Gender | Men |
| Born | 30 Jun 1990
in Dubrovnik, YUG |
| Height | 2.00 m |
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Sport Specific Information |
Handedness |
Right |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
He began playing water polo in 1998 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. |
General Interest |
Injuries |
He missed the whole of the 2017/18 season with heart problems, and underwent surgery in March 2018 in Cleveland, OH, United States of America. (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 27 Dec 2017; hrt.hr, 31 Jul 2018)
In mid-2017 he broke his finger and was forced to miss the 2017 World League Super Final in Ruza, Russian Federation. (fina.org, 19 Jun 2017)
In 2014 he was diagnosed with glandular fever [mononucleosis]. (hrvatskareprezentacija.hr, 25 Mar 2014) |
Further Personal Information |
Occupation |
Coach |
General Interest |
Awards and honours |
He was named in the All-Star team at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. (fina.org, 29 Jun 2017)
In 2014 and 2015 he was named Croatian Water Polo Player of the Year. (vecernji.hr, 07 Dec 2015)
He was named Best Player of the 2014/15 Prva Liga in Croatia. (hrsport.net, 01 Apr 2015)
He was named Best Player of the 2012/13 and 2014/15 Adriatic League. (vijesti.me, 01 Apr 2015; hrsport.net, 11 Apr 2013) |
Famous relatives |
His father Goran won a gold medal in water polo for Yugoslavia at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, while his older brother Ivan has played the sport at club level in Croatia. (SportsDeskOnline, 12 Aug 2018; dance.hr, 30 May 2011) |
Further Personal Information |
Higher education |
Management - Business School PAR: Rijeka, CRO |
General Interest |
Memorable sporting achievement |
Winning gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. (jutarnji.hr, 20 May 2019) |
Sport Specific Information |
Why this sport? |
He was inspired by his father. "I took up water polo training, because of my father. I watched his matches and I knew what he achieved." |
Preferred position / style / stance / technique |
Driver |
Further Personal Information |
Languages |
Croatian, English |
Family |
Wife Paola, daughter Nora |
Residence |
Dubrovnik, CRO |
General Interest |
Most influential person in career |
His family, and coach Emil Nikolic. (slobodnadalmacija.hr; 26 Mar 2018; total-waterpolo.com, 16 Dec 2017) |
Other information |
HEART PROBLEMS AND RETIREMENT
In October 2017 he was diagnosed with heart problems. His contract with Italian side Pro Recco was terminated, and he underwent surgery in March 2018 in Cleveland, OH, United States of America. Speaking in July 2018, he said that the operation had been a success. In the following month he signed with Croatian team VK Jug for the 2018/19 season, however in April 2019 he announced his retirement due to medical reasons. "It was not easy to make this decision. More than anything, I wanted to play, enjoy what I love the most, but I think it's better to not risk." (vaterpolovesti.com, 31 Aug 2018; hrt.hr, 31 Jul 2018; totalinfo.hr, 02 Jul 2018; jutarnji.hr, 28 Mar 2018; justdubrovnik.com, 12 Feb 2018; vecernji.hr, 04 Jun 2019; tportal.hr, 23 Apr 2019; jutarnji.hr, 20 May 2019) |
Olympic Games |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 2 |
2016 |
Rio de Janeiro, BRA |
Team |
|
| 1 |
2012 |
London, ENG |
Team |
|
World Championship |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 1 |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
Team |
|
| 2 |
2015 |
Kazan, RUS |
Team |
|
| 3 |
2013 |
Barcelona, ESP |
Team |
|
| 3 |
2011 |
Shanghai, CHN |
Team |
|
| 3 |
2009 |
Rome, ITA |
Team |
|
World Cup |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 2 |
2010 |
Oradea, ROU |
Team |
|
European Championship |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 7 |
2016 |
Belgrade, SRB |
Team |
|
| 5 |
2014 |
Budapest, HUN |
Team |
|
| 9 |
2012 |
Eindhoven, NED |
Team |
|
| 1 |
2010 |
Zagreb, CRO |
Team |
|
| 4 |
2008 |
Málaga, ESP |
Team |
|
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