Vedran Markota is the Croatian National Epee Champion!

The University of California San Diego fencing program can now claim a national champion on its roster as sophomore Vedran Markota recently earned the title by winning the Croatian National Epee Championship.

Competing at the Senior level, Markota defeated fellow countryman Marin Lovric by a commanding tally of 15-6 in the gold medal bout.

Markota swept through the Round of 16 direct elimination bouts. Following a bye in the first round, he took down Jakov Plese (15-10) and Maurizio Bogovic (15-10) to punch his ticket to the final match-up.

In pool action, Markota went 4-1 with a +17 indicator (24 touches scored, seven touches against), the best of all competitors. His only loss came against Dino Sourek, a former national champion.

Markota also competed in the Senior Team event for Zagreb. He and teammates Bogovic and Rok Sobocan topped the five-team field to win gold. In the last bout of the finals, Markota was down by three points but rallied to take a two-point victory to earn the title for his team.

We talked with the molecular and cell biology major about his championship title, how he got into fencing, and why he chose UC San Diego.

How much does winning this title mean to you?
A lot. Nationals are the most prestigious competition in Croatia because our athletes prepare for it more than any other and are very locked in to win it. This win was special because it was Senior Nationals. I was happy to prove to myself that I can do it.

How long have you been competing at Nationals?
I have been competing at nationals since I was eight years old. At Senior level, however, for the past five years. I was not so succesful before, until last year when I placed second.

How big is fencing in Croatia?
Fencing in Croatia is a small sport, mostly because it is very expensive and not very rewarding. Most of the kids go into team sports.

What about at the Olympic level?
Croatia typically does not have Olympic fencers. The last one was Bojan Jovanovic, a foilist who competed at the 2012 Olympics in London. However, I think there is a good possiblity that someone will make it in the next two. I also hope to, although I am still far away from it.

How did you get into fencing?
I started fencing at age six or seven. I wanted to become a knight, so my parents proposed fencing. I was a little bit disappointed at first that it was not a slashing sport, and I thought the equipment looked really ugly. Later, I had ups and downs in motivation, but I really like the sport now. 

What made you choose to come to UC San Diego?
I chose UC San Diego because I was looking for a good biology school that also offered fencing at the NCAA level. I really wanted to continue fencing while in college and it seemed almost impossible to do so in Croatia.

What were your first thoughts when arriving on campus?
I experienced a huge culture shock when I came to San Diego because it was the first time I had ever visited the United States. However, people were really welcoming, so I got over it quickly.

What has been your favorite memory so far at UC San Diego?
My favorite memory is going to Korean BBQ on Fridays with my teammates. We really had a lot of fun and I hope we will continue this team tradition as soon as possible.

You are currently taking UC San Diego classes online in Croatia. How has that been?
It is challenging, but the good thing is that you spare some time not going to class. But I really miss walking to Peterson Hall, for example, because the campus is so beautiful. I do miss the team and taking courses in person. 

What do you hope to do after graduation?
I would like to go to grad school and pursue a career in drug discovery.

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program begins a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide more than 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. In addition, 83 Tritons have been named Academic All-Americans, while 37 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.