Churin Prapotnik has set the Slovenian record in the 100 meters

On June 19, 2026, during the national athletics championships held in Maribor, Slovenia, a new national record was set in the men's 100-meter sprint. The achievement came as a surprise to many observers and marked a significant milestone in Slovenian athletics. The competition took place under favorable weather conditions, including a wind speed of up to 1.6 meters per second, which is within the allowed limit for such events.

The record-breaking performance was delivered by Anej Čurin Prapotnik, a 23-year-old athlete representing the club Ptu. With a time of 10.09 seconds, Čurin Prapotnik surpassed the previous national record of 10.13 seconds, which had been set by Matica Osovnikar in Osaka during the quarterfinals of the World Championships in 2007. This new time not only improved the national standard but also placed Čurin Prapotnik among the top sprinters in Europe.

In addition to his personal success, Čurin Prapotnik’s victory brought recognition to the host city of Maribor, where he achieved this feat. His win was followed closely by two other notable performances: Tin Staš Lorbar of PMb finished second with a time of 10.34 seconds, while Filip Oiclj of SlG secured third place with a time of 10.36 seconds. All three athletes managed to break their personal best times, highlighting the high level of competition on the track.

The event also saw several other impressive results across various disciplines. In the women's 100-meter race, Zala Istenič emerged victorious with a time of 11.35 seconds, setting a new national record for her category. Other standout performances included Nika Glojnarič in the 100-meter hurdles, who recorded a time of 12.96 seconds under the permissible wind conditions. On the longer distances, Rok Markelj won the 1500-meter race with a time of 3 minutes and 44.87 seconds, while Anita Horvat claimed the women's title with a time of 4 minutes and 29.18 seconds.

In the field events, Kristjan Čeh narrowly missed breaking his own national discus throw record, achieving a distance of 71.86 meters in the second series. He fell just short of the existing record of 72.61 meters, which he set earlier this year in the United States. Meanwhile, Dino Subašić dominated the long jump with a distance of 7.87 meters, securing first place in that discipline.

The competition also featured young talent, with 16-year-old Živa Remic showing promise before she unfortunately stumbled near the finish line and finished 18th. Despite this setback, her presence signaled the emergence of new stars in Slovenian athletics.

Reactions from the athletes were mixed, with Čurin Prapotnik expressing satisfaction over his record-breaking run. He mentioned that the team had reduced training volume slightly this season but still maintained high-quality workouts. He emphasized how enjoyable it was to compete now compared to previous years when he struggled to attend races due to personal challenges.

Other athletes also shared their experiences, with some noting the importance of maintaining consistent training routines even amid changes in focus areas. The overall atmosphere at the event was one of excitement and pride, as both established and emerging talents showcased their skills on the national stage.

Looking ahead, the new records set in Maribor will likely influence future competitions and training strategies for Slovenian athletes. The success of Čurin Prapotnik could inspire younger generations to pursue careers in athletics, potentially leading to more breakthroughs in international competitions. As the sport continues to evolve, these achievements serve as benchmarks for future performances and highlight the growing strength of Slovenian athletics on the global scene.