AGUA Water Polo Head Coach Ilija Duretic Leads U19 US Men's Water Polo Team to Gold Medal at PanAm Aquatics Championships
Last month, AGUA Water Polo Head Coach Ilija Duretic traveled 4800 miles from his home pool at Asphalt Green to Bauru, Brazil to lead USA Water Polo’s U19 team at the 2026 PanAm Aquatics U19 Championships. He came back with a gold medal.
Upon his return, we spoke with Ilija about what this accomplishment means, the lessons he learned from his gold medal experience, and how he will use them to support AGUA athletes:
What did it mean to you to lead the U.S. U19 team at an international championship in Brazil?
It was a tremendous honor and a very proud moment for me. Representing the United States and leading a group of talented young athletes on an international stage was an incredible experience, and winning the gold medal made it even more special.
How did your experience coaching at Asphalt Green and with AGUA Water Polo shape your approach with the national team?
My experience at AGUA Water Polo has taught me the importance of building a strong team culture, developing players both in and out of the pool, and creating an environment where athletes can grow and compete at a high level. Those principles were very important with the national team as well.
What did you learn from coaching at the national level that you’re excited to bring back to your work with AGUA Water Polo?
The experience reinforced how important preparation, communication, and attention to detail are at the highest level. I’m excited to bring those lessons back to AGUA Water Polo and continue helping our athletes develop and compete at the highest levels.
What will you remember most from this accomplishment?
I will remember the team, the journey, and the pride of seeing the players come together and represent the United States. Sharing that experience with the athletes and staff and ultimately winning gold is something I will always remember.
