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Dušan MANDIC
Sport Water Polo
NOC Serbia   
GenderMen
Born16 Jun 1994 in Kotor, YUG
Height2.02 m
Weight 107 kg
 Human Interest 
Sport Specific Information
Club / Team
VK Novi Beograd: Serbia
Name of coach
Vladimir Vujasinovic [club], SRB; Dejan Savic [national], SRB
Preferred position / style / stance / technique
Wing
Handedness
Left
Further Personal Information
Occupation
Athlete
Languages
English, Serbian
General Interest
Awards and honours
He received the 2021 Male Total Player Award from website Total Waterpolo following a vote of coaches, players, media representatives and the public. (Total Waterpolo Instagram profile, 22 Dec 2021)

He was chosen in the All-Star team at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, Republic of Korea. (fina.org, 27 Jul 2019)

He was named Most Valuable Player [MVP] at the 2015 World League Super Final in Bergamo, Italy. (swimswam.com, 29 Jun 2015; sport.blic.rs, 28 Jun 2015)

In December 2012 he was named Young Athlete of the Year by the Olympic Committee of Serbia. (b92.net, 22 Dec 2012)
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport?
His father signed him up for water polo training, even though he was more enthusiastic about basketball.
When and where did you begin this sport?
He took up water polo at age seven at the Primorac club in Kotor, Montenegro.
General Interest
Nicknames
Manda (Instagram profile, 06 Aug 2018)
Other information
SERBIA OR MONTENEGRO
At age 16 he had to decide if he wanted to represent Serbia, or Montenegro where he was born and raised. "I knew that I couldn't make a mistake, because both teams are water polo superpowers. I chose Serbia and I don't regret it. I love Montenegro and I often visit it, this is my homeland. I have to admit the fact that I did my first national training with the Serbian team had an influence on my decision." (sport.blic.rs, 12 Aug 2015; pinnbet.rs, 12 Jul 2015)
Further Personal Information
Residence
Belgrade, SRB
General Interest
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (mozzartsport.com, 26 Jul 2018; vaterpolovesti.com, 10 Jul 2020)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"If you think that training is difficult, try losing." (mozzartsport.com, 26 Jul 2018)
Further Personal Information
Family
Wife Sladana, daughter Lenka [2019]
General Interest
Injuries
He fractured his cheekbone during the semifinal of the Champions League in May 2017. His recovery took almost a month and he was unable to compete at the World League finals. (blic.rs, 31 Jul 2017; mondo.rs, 30 May 2017; mozzartsport.com, 30 May 2017)
Most influential person in career
Coach Igor Milanovic. (mondo.rs, 23 Jul 2018)
Hero / Idol
Serbian water polo players Aleksandar Sapic and Vladimir Vujasinovic, Hungarian water polo player Gergely Kiss. (mozzartsport.com, 26 Jul 2018)

 Competition Highlights
Olympic Games
Rank Year Venue Event Result
1 2021 Tokyo, JPN Team  
1 2016 Rio de Janeiro, BRA Team  
3 2012 London, ENG Team  
World Championship
Rank Year Venue Event Result
6 2024 Doha, QAT Team  
5 2022 Budapest, HUN Team  
5 2019 Gwangju, KOR Team  
3 2017 Budapest, HUN Team  
1 2015 Kazan, RUS Team  
7 2013 Barcelona, ESP Team  
World Cup
Rank Year Venue Event Result
3 2018 Berlin, GER Team  
European Championship
Rank Year Venue Event Result
7 2024   Team  
9 2022 Split, CRO Team  
5 2020 Budapest, HUN Team  
1 2018 Barcelona, ESP Team  
1 2016 Belgrade, SRB Team  
1 2014 Budapest, HUN Team