Janko Leskovac: Balancing studies and Olympic goals

Student life for professional athletes is rarely simple. Balancing intense training schedules, competitions, and academic responsibilities requires discipline, focus, and strong support. At our Zagreb campus, Janko Leskovac does exactly that, pursuing a degree in Web and Mobile Computing while competing at the highest levels of fencing as a member of the Croatian National Fencing Team and the Croatian Olympic Hopefuls Program.

As both a student and an athlete, Janko approaches everything with the same mindset: discipline, curiosity, and long-term thinking. “I care about understanding how things work, and I try to approach my studies with the same mindset I bring to sport,” he says.

Professional growth with the right support

For Janko, finding a college that supported both his academic ambitions and his athletic career was essential. His success is reflected in recognition on both fronts. For his athletic achievements, Janko has received support from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, while his academic performance has been acknowledged through awards for outstanding grades. What mattered the most to him was that “the effort and commitment were genuinely recognized,” which made it possible to pursue his studies while continuing to compete at a high sporting level.

Studying Web and Mobile Computing has reshaped the way Janko thinks, making him “naturally break things down and look for logical solutions,” to the point where, as he says, “my brain works like code now.” That structured way of thinking helps Janko stay calm under pressure: “Once you understand that most problems have a structure, they stop feeling overwhelming and become something you can solve step by step.”

Faculty support has also played a major role in his journey. “Professors are approachable, understanding, and willing to put in extra effort when students show commitment,” he says, describing a learning environment where faculty “explains material thoroughly, answers questions, and helps students stay on track even when circumstances are demanding.”  

Focus on long-term goals

Through the Croatian Olympic Hopefuls Program, Janko receives support designed to help talented athletes progress toward the highest level of sport. The program's goal is to help athletes maintain and improve their performance while providing the support they need to develop properly. “Being part of the program makes me feel like I am now, in a way, part of the same team I once looked up to,” he explains. With support from the Croatian Olympic Committee, he can focus on development and long-term goals, which allows both his sporting and academic ambitions to grow. Competitive sport has taught him how to work hard, stay composed, and focused, a mindset he carries “directly into his studies, projects, and exams, as well as into professional situations.”

Over the past four years at RIT Croatia, Janko sees his time at RIT Croatia as a period of growth on every level. “RIT Croatia helped me grow academically, professionally, and personally,” he says, describing an environment that “challenged me to be disciplined and consistent, while also providing understanding and support.”

To future students wondering whether they must choose between sport and education, his message is clear and motivating: “Do not assume you have to give up your sport when you start college.” With commitment and honest communication, he believes “it is possible to do both,” and with the right support, sport and education can strengthen each other and help you grow in every aspect of life.