1. Early life and background
Giovanni Cernogoraz was born on December 27, 1982, in Koper, which was then part of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia within Yugoslavia. His initial interest in shooting sports developed from his involvement in hunting.
2. Career
Giovanni Cernogoraz's career as a sports shooter is marked by consistent dedication and a gradual ascent to the highest levels of international competition, culminating in Olympic gold and multiple world and European titles.
2.1. Early career and development
Cernogoraz started his shooting career at an early age, drawn to the sport through his experience with hunting. He became a member of the Gord sports club in Velika Gorica, where he honed his skills under the guidance of his personal coach Stjepan Vučković and national coach Željko Vađić. His talent was recognized early, leading to him being named Velika Gorica Sportsman of the Year in 2011. Despite narrowly missing qualification for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Cernogoraz persevered, setting the stage for future successes.
2.2. Major competitions and achievements before 2012 Olympics
Cernogoraz secured his qualification for the 2012 London Olympics by winning the ISSF World Cup in Beijing in 2011. Prior to this, he also achieved a silver medal in team trap at the 2009 European Shotgun Championships in Osijek. His momentum continued into 2012, when he won a gold medal in team trap at the European Shotgun Championships in Larnaca, alongside his national teammates and brothers, Anton Glasnović and Josip Glasnović. At the same event, he also earned a bronze medal in individual trap.
2.3. 2012 London Olympics gold medal
At the 2012 London Olympics, Giovanni Cernogoraz delivered a career-defining performance. He qualified for the Olympic final in sixth place, having scored 122 points in the preliminary rounds. In the final, Cernogoraz showcased exceptional precision, hitting 24 out of a possible 25 targets. This brought his total score to 146, equaling the Olympic record and leading to a shoot-off for the gold medal. In a tense face-off, Cernogoraz defeated Italy's Massimo Fabbrizi with a score of 6-5, securing the gold medal. This historic victory marked Croatia's first Olympic gold medal in shooting sports and only its second shooting medal ever in its Olympic history. Furthermore, it was the first Olympic gold won by an athlete from the Istria region since Mate Parlov's boxing gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
2.4. Post-2012 career and achievements
Following his Olympic triumph, Cernogoraz continued to compete at a high level, adding more accolades to his record. In 2013, he earned a bronze medal in team trap at the World Shotgun Championships in Lima and a gold in team trap at the European Shotgun Championships in Suhl, Germany. He also won a bronze medal in trap at the 2013 Mediterranean Games in Mersin. In 2014, he secured another bronze medal in team trap at the European Shotgun Championships in Sarlospuszta. His success continued with a gold medal in trap at the 2015 ISSF World Cup in Nicosia. More recently, in 2023, Cernogoraz achieved significant victories, winning a gold medal in trap at the 2023 ISSF World Shooting Championships in Baku and another gold in trap at the European Shotgun Championships in Osijek. He also claimed a gold medal in men's team trap at the 2023 European Games in Kraków-Małopolska.
3. Personal life
Giovanni Cernogoraz resides in the town of Novigrad in Croatia. He stands at 6.0 ft (1.84 m) tall and weighs 176 lb (80 kg). Beyond his athletic career, he works as a waiter at his father's restaurant. Cernogoraz is an Istrian Italian and holds dual Croatian and Italian nationality, possessing an Italian passport. He is married and is a father to two children. He is also a Roman Catholic.
4. Awards and honors
Giovanni Cernogoraz has received several significant awards and honors throughout his distinguished career. In recognition of his Olympic gold medal, he was elected the Croatian Sportsman of the Year by Sportske novosti in 2012. He was also named Velika Gorica Sportsman of the Year in 2011, recognizing his achievements at a local level. In 2024, Cernogoraz was chosen as the flag bearer for Croatia at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, sharing the honor with Barbara Matić.
5. Olympic results
| Olympic results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 2012 | ||
| Trap |  Gold | ||
6. Legacy
Giovanni Cernogoraz's gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics stands as a monumental achievement in Croatian sports history, being the nation's first Olympic gold in shooting and only the second medal ever in the sport. His success also carried particular significance for the Istria region, marking the first Olympic gold for an Istrian athlete since Mate Parlov's boxing victory in 1972. Beyond his individual accomplishments, Cernogoraz has contributed to the prominence of Croatian shooting on the international stage, inspiring future generations of athletes. His consistent performance and numerous medals in World Cups, World Championships, and European Championships affirm his status as one of Croatia's most successful sports shooters.