It’s amazing to think that someone aged 33 with two Olympic gold medals has yet to win a medal of any colour at the World Aquatics Championships. That is the case for Serbia’s Strahinja Rasovic and he is hoping that Singapore will be where he redresses that imbalance in what has been a medalled water polo life.
Strahinja Rasovic is one half of the Rasovic team with younger brother Viktor Rasovic (31), already a world championship achiever with bronze in 2017 and with a gold medal from the European Championships in 2018 and a total of seven gold medals at major events. Viktor, however, was not a member of the 2020 Olympic team.
Strahinja has the two Olympic gold medals, World Cup gold and bronze, two World League golds, a Mediterranean Games gold and two Universiade golds and a bronze to his name. He also has an U20 world championship gold. In 2017, when Serbia last won a World Championship medal — bronze — he was injured and not in the team.
There are many other medals at the club level stretching back to 2012.
With Crvena Zvezda (Red Star), he won the European Champions League in 2012-13; the LEN Super Cup in 2013; the Serbian Championship in 2012-13 and 2013-14, plus the Serbia Cup in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
With Atletic-Barceloneta he was Spanish champion in 2015-16 and 2016-17; Copa del Rey winner in 2015-16 and 2016-17, as well as Cope de Cataluna in 2016-17.
Playing for Radnicki Kragujevic, he won the Adriatic League in 2020-21 and the Serbia Championship in 2020-21. For Novi Beograd, Strahinja was runner-up in the Champions League of 2021-2022 and 2022-23; Adriatic League winner in 2021-22 and Serbia champion in 2021-2022 and 2022-23. He did a season with Vasas in Hungary and is now back with Radnicki Kragujevic, with Viktor at his side. Last year he was Adriatic League and Serbian champion.
“It’s always nice to play with my brother. It’s lucky that we can plan and win trophies together.”
He has been the top scorer of the Hungarian Championship in 2019-202 with Egri; Serbian Championship top scorer with Novi Beograd in 2021-22; World Championship top scorer in 2023 and has been named in the tournament teams of the World Championships in 2022 and 2023.
It’s an impressive contribution to high-level water polo, but the absence of medals at World and European championships rankles.
“When you are playing for Serbia, expectations are always the highest. I miss medals from World and European competitions; I hope and I believe that I will win them with my friends,” he says. Perhaps the first step will be in Singapore?
Having won two Olympic gold medals is no mean feat and the manner of winning in Paris last year still resonates with Strahinja.
“Since I was kid for me Olympic Games was biggest achievement in sporting life. When I reached for the first time, I touched the sky ,but when I did it the second time I felt like, ‘God!’
“Paris has a special place in my heart. We won after very bad start in the group when nobody — even us — didn't believe that we can win a gold medal and also, I did it with my brother, which for me means a lot.
“I was part of history, unbelievable turnaround like a phoenix from the ashes. That showed to us and to the world that anything is possible. We live our dreams and that's most beautiful in sport and life. Those Olympic medals make me very happy and proud,” he says.
Strahinja, whose ambitions are focused on LA 2028, said that after winning two Olympic gold medals: “I’m more calm, everything is easier in my career. Deep inside me, I’m very happy and satisfied.”
In his private life he said: “I’m more calm ,relaxed but during trainings and games, I’m more competitive.”
He says that family has grounded him with a wife and two children.
“My days are completely full. Almost every day I have two training sessions. I take and pick up my children from kindergarten and spend time with them until second training. So, there is not too much free time.
“Outside water polo I spend my time with my family and friends. That recharges my batteries, especially with my babies — they make me the happiest.
“My family follows me everywhere, my wife and two children. Without them, it would be difficult to achieve all these successes. I have to mention my mom and brother who are also constant support,” he says.
Of playing abroad, Strahinja said: “I played in Spain and in Hungary for a total of six years. I enjoyed playing there. I made friends and got to know new cultures.”
Looking beyond his playing years, he said he would like to be close to water polo and the pool. “Maybe even coach one day, but I'm not sure it would be at the level I played. Maybe work with young water polo players where it is less stressful and less travelling.”
The Olympic golds were probably the real highlight of his career but what about club level?
“At the moment, highlights include winning the Champions League with Red Star and Super Cup of Europe also with Red Star. And for the first time in history that one Serbian club won the Adriatic league, with Radnicki Kragujevac.
Strahinja has managed to keep his body in shape and avoid major injuries.
“This is because of good trainings, which keep you strong and ready for competitions; concentration during training; good healthy food, which means eating at home, not fast food; massages, stretching, etc.
“All these things are not a guarantee, but I hope that the number of injuries will be as low as possible.”
On the team’s preparation for Singapore, he said: “Like always, the preparation period is so intensive. We’re in a good atmosphere and doing hard work, so we are getting ready for Singapore.”
On the new rules with the shortened pool and possession times, he said: “First of all, I need to play with the new rules, then I will realise more how it is. At the moment I don't have anything to say.”