1. Early Life and Background
Jasna Šekarić's journey into the world of professional shooting began early in her life, rooted in the environment of her upbringing in Yugoslavia.
1.1. Birth and Early Life
Jasna Šekarić was born on December 17, 1965, in Belgrade, which was then the capital of the Socialist Republic of Serbia within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. She spent her formative years and grew up in Osijek, a city located in the Socialist Republic of Croatia, also a constituent republic of Yugoslavia at the time. This environment provided the backdrop for her initial foray into sports.
1.2. Introduction to Shooting
Šekarić began her shooting career in Osijek. Her earliest competitive experiences were in school competitions where she initially used a rifle. She achieved respectable results at the regional championships with the rifle. Over time, she transitioned from rifle shooting to pistol shooting, a discipline in which she would later achieve international renown. In 1990, she relocated to Belgrade, where she continued her successful sporting career on a private level.
2. Sporting Career
Jasna Šekarić's sporting career is marked by extraordinary longevity and a consistent presence on the international medal podium, spanning over two decades and across multiple major championships.
2.1. Early Career and Rise to Prominence
From her early career, Šekarić quickly established herself as a leading figure in shooting sports. Her talent and consistent performance led to her being recognized numerous times as the best sportswoman and shooter in various national entities, including the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Croatia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and finally Serbia. These accolades underscored her rapid emergence and dominance in the sport from a young age.
2.2. Major International Championships
Beyond the Olympic stage, Šekarić amassed an impressive collection of medals at various major international championships, demonstrating her sustained excellence.
2.2.1. World Championships
Šekarić has an outstanding record at the ISSF World Shooting Championships, securing multiple gold medals. She won gold in the 10 meter air pistol in 1987 in Budapest, 1990 in Moscow, and 1994 in Milan. She also earned a silver medal in the 10 meter air pistol in 1989 in Sarajevo. More recently, she contributed to a team gold medal in the 10 meter air pistol at the 2014 World Championships in Granada.
2.2.2. European Championships
Her success extended to the European Shooting Championships, where she claimed five gold medals. These include gold in the 10 meter air pistol in 1986 in Espoo, 1991 in Manchester, 1992 in Budapest, and 1996 in Budapest. She also won gold in the 25 meter pistol in 2005 in Belgrade. In addition to her gold medals, Šekarić secured silver medals in the 10 meter air pistol in 1989 in Copenhagen and 1990 in Arnhem, as well as a silver in the 25 meter pistol in 1989 in Zagreb. She also earned bronze medals in the 10 meter air pistol in 1994 in Strasbourg and 1999 in Arnhem, and a bronze in the 25 meter pistol in 2001 in Zagreb.
2.2.3. Mediterranean Games
Šekarić's dominance also shone through at the Mediterranean Games. In 1991 in Athens, she secured two gold medals, one in the 25 meter pistol and another in the 10 meter air pistol. She continued her gold medal streak in 1997 in Bari, winning the 25 meter pistol, and in 2005 in Almería, again in the 25 meter pistol. She also earned a bronze medal in the 10 meter air pistol at the 1997 Bari Games. Her later performances included a silver medal in the 25 meter pistol and a bronze in the 10 meter air pistol at the 2009 Pescara Games, and a bronze medal in the 25 meter pistol at the 2013 Mersin Games.
2.3. Olympic Games Participation
Jasna Šekarić's Olympic career is exceptionally long and distinguished, marked by multiple medal-winning performances and a unique journey through geopolitical changes.
2.3.1. Olympic Medal History
Šekarić has participated in seven Olympic Games, winning a total of five Olympic medals: one gold, three silvers, and one bronze.
Her Olympic debut at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul was highly successful, where she secured a gold medal in the 10 meter air pistol event and a bronze medal in the 25 meter pistol event.
At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, she earned a silver medal in the 10 meter air pistol. Notably, she lost the gold medal to Marina Logvinenko despite both having the same score.
She continued her medal-winning streak with silver medals in the 10 meter air pistol at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, she placed fourth in the 10 meter air pistol. She also competed in the 25 meter pistol event, achieving a sixth-place finish in 1992 and 1996. Her Olympic results are detailed below:
| Event | 1988 | 1992 | 1996 | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 meter pistol |  Bronze (591+95) | 6th (583+93) | 6th (580+100.4) | 17th (577) | 9th (579) | 21st (578) | 18th (579) |
| 10 meter air pistol |  Gold (389+100.5) |  Silver (389+97.4) | 4th (384+103.1) | Silver (388+98.5) | Silver (387+96.3) | 6th (384+96.9) | - |
2.3.2. Representing Multiple Flags
A unique aspect of Šekarić's Olympic career is that she competed under four different national flags across her seven Olympic appearances, despite never having changed her own nationality.
At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, she competed for Yugoslavia.
In 1992, at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, with Yugoslavia under United Nations sanctions, she competed as one of fifty Independent Olympic Participants, alongside other Serbian, Montenegrin, and Macedonian athletes.
Her next two Olympic appearances were under the flag of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (a state that had removed the red star from the SFRY's flag).
In 2004, she represented Serbia and Montenegro, which shared the same flag as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Finally, from 2006 onwards, she competed for Serbia, including at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This journey under changing national banners, brought about by the dissolution of Yugoslavia, highlights her resilience and unwavering commitment to the sport, rather than any shift in allegiance. This distinction is often noted, contrasting with other athletes like Serbian-American table tennis player Ilija Lupulesku, who competed under multiple flags due to changes in nationality.
3. Awards and Honors
Throughout her illustrious career, Jasna Šekarić has received numerous prestigious awards and honors, recognizing her exceptional contributions to shooting sports.
3.1. National and International Accolades
Šekarić was consistently recognized as the best sportswoman and shooter in the various iterations of her home nation, including the SFR Yugoslavia, Croatia, FR Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Serbia. She was a recipient of the prestigious Golden Badge award for Yugoslavia's best athlete in both 1988 and 1994. Furthermore, the Olympic Committee of Serbia has honored her multiple times as the Sportswoman of the Year, specifically in 1994, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2004, and 2005. In a testament to her continued influence and expertise, she was also named the Coach of the Year by the Olympic Committee of Serbia in 2020.
3.2. Flag Bearer Role
Her prominence and leadership in Serbian sports were further acknowledged when she was chosen as the country's flag bearer at the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. This role symbolized her status as a respected and iconic figure in Serbian athletics.
4. Personal Life
Jasna Šekarić was born in Belgrade, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia, and grew up in Osijek, SR Croatia, then part of Yugoslavia. She is divorced and has two children, a daughter named Lea (ЛеаLeaSerbian) and a son named Luka (ЛукаLukaSerbian).
5. Legacy and Evaluation
Jasna Šekarić's career has left an indelible mark on the sport of shooting, earning her a place among its most celebrated figures.
5.1. Historical Significance
Jasna Šekarić is widely regarded as one of the most successful female shooters in the history of the ISSF. Her consistent performance across more than two decades, culminating in five Olympic medals and numerous World and European titles, highlights her enduring impact on the sport. She became a standard-bearer for excellence and longevity in a highly competitive discipline, inspiring future generations of athletes in Serbia and beyond. Her ability to maintain peak performance through significant geopolitical changes and national transitions further underscores her remarkable dedication and mental fortitude.
5.2. Records and Unique Achievements
Šekarić holds several distinctive records and accomplishments that underscore her unique place in sports history. She is one of only six shooters (as of 2012) to have competed in at least seven Olympic Games, a testament to her extraordinary longevity. Furthermore, she is listed in the "golden book of sport shooting" as the only shooter to have participated in five Olympic Games and reached the final in all five of those appearances, demonstrating unparalleled consistency at the highest level of competition. She also held the world record for the women's 10 meter air pistol final for two periods: from 1987 to 1989 and again from 1996 to 1998.
