SWIMMERS from Slovenia

Top 6

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the most legendary Slovene Swimmers of all time. This list of famous Slovene Swimmers is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity.

1. Peter Mankoč (b. 1978)

With an HPI of 41.26, Peter Mankoč is the most famous Slovene Swimmer.  His biography has been translated into 17 different languages on wikipedia.

Peter Mankoč (born 4 July 1978 in Ljubljana, Slovenia) is a Slovenian swimmer. He is one of the most successful short course European Championship swimmers in the history of the event. Mankoč is the former world record holder in the 100 meter individual medley (short course).

2. Sara Isaković (b. 1988)

With an HPI of 36.40, Sara Isaković is the 2nd most famous Slovene Swimmer.  Her biography has been translated into 20 different languages.

Sara Isaković (born 9 June 1988) is a retired Slovenian swimmer. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, aged 20, she placed 2nd in the 200 m freestyle with the time of 1:54.97, becoming the second woman ever (behind Federica Pellegrini) to break the 1 min 55 sec mark. It is still, to this day, the only swimming Olympic medal won for Slovenia. Isaković competed for Slovenia at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

3. Tilka Paljk (b. 1997)

With an HPI of 23.22, Tilka Paljk is the 3rd most famous Slovene Swimmer.  Her biography has been translated into 7 different languages.

Tilka Paljk (born 18 February 1997) is a Zambian swimmer. She competed in the women's 100 metre breaststroke event at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships. She also competed in three events at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Paljk was born in Postojna, Slovenia. Paljk was named the Zambia Sportswoman of the Year in 2018 and 2019, and was named in Forbes Africa 30 under 30 in 2021.

4. Katja Fain (b. 2001)

With an HPI of 22.81, Katja Fain is the 4th most famous Slovene Swimmer.  Her biography has been translated into 7 different languages.

Katja Fain (born 31 August 2001) is a Slovenian swimmer. She won a bronze medal in the 200 metre freestyle at the 2021 European Short Course Championships. She represented Slovenia at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics.

5. Špela Perše (b. 1996)

With an HPI of 18.20, Špela Perše is the 5th most famous Slovene Swimmer.  Her biography has been translated into 7 different languages.

Špela Perše (born 4 August 1996) is a Slovenian swimmer. She competed in the women's marathon 10 kilometre event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. In 2019, she competed in the women's 5 km and women's 10 km events at the World Aquatics Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea. In the 5 km event she finished in 16th place and in the 10 km event she finished in 27th place.

6. Martin Bau (b. 1994)

With an HPI of 17.43, Martin Bau is the 6th most famous Slovene Swimmer.  His biography has been translated into 8 different languages.

Martin Bau (born 8 October 1994) is a Slovenian swimmer. He competed in the men's 1500 metre freestyle event at the 2016 Summer Olympics.