Croatia’s deaf swimming team won six medals at the European Deaf Swimming Championships in Freiburg, Germany, with Nikola Zdrilić claiming his first European title after a dramatic appeal overturned his disqualification.
The Croatian team finished the competition with one gold, one silver, and four bronze medals. Three athletes reached the podium, including 14-year-old Paloma Pajić, who celebrated her first medal at a senior European championship.
Nikola Zdrilić Wins Gold After Disqualification Drama
Zdrilić emerged as Croatia’s most successful competitor, collecting four medals during the championships, held from October 25 to 31.
On the final day, he secured silver in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke with a time of 2:23.24.
He then delivered another impressive performance in the 200-meter individual medley, finishing in 2:08.61.
However, his celebration was interrupted when officials disqualified him following the race.
The Croatian delegation immediately filed an appeal, challenging the decision. After reviewing the arguments, the chief referee overturned the disqualification and confirmed Zdrilić as European champion.
It was the first European gold medal of his career.
Earlier in the competition, Zdrilić had also secured bronze medals in the 50-meter breaststroke, finishing in 29.85 seconds, and the 100-meter breaststroke, with a time of 1:04.49.
The Croatian swimmer expressed satisfaction with his performances and thanked everyone who had supported him throughout the competition.
His four-medal achievement continued a successful period in his career, following three bronze medals at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo.
A Historic Moment for 14-Year-Old Paloma Pajić
Another highlight came from Paloma Pajić, the youngest member of the Croatian team.
At just 14 years old, Pajić won bronze in the women’s 800-meter freestyle, earning her first medal at a senior European championship.
Competing against significantly more experienced swimmers, she delivered one of the most notable performances of her young career.
Antonio Žgomba also contributed to Croatia’s medal tally, claiming bronze in the men’s 50-meter butterfly with a time of 25.73 seconds.
He finished just 0.24 seconds behind the gold medalist in a closely contested final.
The Croatian team also included Natali Žgomba, who reached the women’s 100-meter freestyle final and finished eighth.
With six medals overall, Croatia concluded the championships with an impressive international result, highlighted by Zdrilić’s dramatic gold medal victory and Pajić’s breakthrough performance.
