Serbian sensation Angelina Topic grabbed the media attention back at the 2022 European Athletics Championships in Munich when she became the youngest medalist, winning bronze in the high jump. And this achievement of the 18-year-old athlete was only the beginning of her journey in the world of sports.
Angelina Topic was born with athletics. Her mother Biljana Topic is a participant in three Olympics and a Serbian record holder in the triple jump. She missed the opportunity to be a medalist at the World Championships in 2009. Her father, Dragutin Topic, is the winner of the European title in the high jump and the record holder of his country in the discipline, he also has a world title for juniors in his collection. He is also her coach.
“My father is my biggest inspiration and the best teacher in life, not only for sports, but for everything I know. I learned it from my parents and I am really grateful to them”, said Angelina Topic. “My mother was also an Olympian and an amazing top athlete. I am so blessed to have people who have already walked this path. And I think I’m one step ahead of others because I have so much experience in my mind than them”, added the young Serbian athlete.
This summer has also started strongly for the young Topic, who is already the Serbian record holder at 1.98m, and has also recorded two Diamond League’s victories this year – in Doha and Marrakesh.
With this 1.98m, she could have been the Olympic champion in Rio in 2016, when 1.97m was needed for the title. At the World Outdoor Championships in Budapest in 2023, she came seventh in the final, and at the 2024 Glasgow World Athletics Championships finished fifth.
At the European Championships in Rome earlier in the month, Topic won silver with 1.97m, and the title again went to Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukraine), who also topped the world rankings for the season with 2.04m.
“The European Championship holds a very special place in my heart. I won my first women’s medal there when I was 17 in Munich two years ago. I’m really happy it happened again. I had an amazing day. I’m really happy. Everything came in the right place at the right time”, said Angelina Topic.
Angelina Topic is still 18, but she can boast of a lot of accumulated experience in the women’s category: “I’ve been coming to these competitions for about four years, which has given me a lot of experience. Going through tough times at a young age strengthened my mindset. I am a different person now than I was two years ago in Munich.”
As she prepares for her Olympic debut, Angelina Topic is eager to embrace the moment: “I’m going to enjoy every moment and immerse myself in the atmosphere, which I know will be incredible. I’m looking forward to getting to the final and experiencing this Olympic stage”.
“I plan to take pictures with everyone I meet”, added the 18-year-old Serbian athlete.