Nikola Jakšić: Serbian Water Polo Champion

Nikola Jakšić (Serbian Cyrillic: Никола Јакшић; born 17 January 1997) is a professional water polo player representing Serbia. He has achieved significant success at both the international and club levels, including winning gold medals at the Olympic Games.

Early Life and Career

Born on January 17, 1997, Jakšić established himself as a prominent defender in professional water polo. His younger brother, Petar Jakšić, also competes as a professional water polo player for the Serbia men's national water polo team.

International Career

Jakšić represented the Serbia men's national water polo team at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where the team secured a gold medal. He later contributed to Serbia's victory at the 2024 Summer Olympics, defeating Croatia 13–11 in the final alongside his brother Petar.

Club Career and Honors

Throughout his career, Jakšić has competed for multiple high-level clubs, accumulating numerous domestic and continental titles.

Honors

• Serbian Championship: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2021–22, 2022–23
• Serbian Cup: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2023–24
• LEN Champions League: 2018–19 (Winner); 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23 (Runner-up)
• LEN Euro Cup: 2017–18
• LEN Super Cup: 2018, 2019
• Hungarian Championship: 2017–18, 2018–19
• Hungarian Cup: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
• Hungarian Super Cup: 2018
• Adriatic League: 2021–22, 2023–24

Awards and Recognition

Jakšić has received multiple individual honors recognizing his defensive capabilities and athletic achievements:

• Young Athlete of The Year by the Serbian Olympic Committee (2016)
• Sportsman of the Year of the JSD Partizan (2015, 2016)
• Member of the World Team by Total Waterpolo (2021, 2023, 2024)
• Serbian Championship Defender of the Year (2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2021–22, 2022–23)
• Hungarian Championship Defender of the Year (2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21)
• Adriatic League Defender of the Year (2021–22)
• LEN Champions League Defender of the Year (2020–21)