Mladen Vukorepa (born 1969) is one of the most famous and best Croatian quiz player, also an electrical engineer by profession. It became known to the general public as one of the “Hunter” In the popular HRT quiz “chase”, where he distinguished himself with his knowledge and calmness from 2017 onwards. This biography brings an overview of his early life, rich quiz careers, roles in the chase and interesting things from his private life, providing an insight into how Mladen Vukorepa built a reputation the most experienced hunter on the Croatian quiz scene.
Early life and education
Mladen Vukorepa grew up in Zagreb (he is of Dalmatian origin) and already showed exceptional intelligence and curiosity in his early childhood. At the age of four, he could read and write, and during his elementary school days, his love for quizzes was born. The legendary quiz is watching “Kviskoteka” with fascination, and soon he began to imitate quizzes – for friends in the neighborhood, he compiled questions and led his own mini-quizzes, showing an above-average breadth of interest in various topics. Even as a child, he flipped through geographical atlases and watched travel shows fantasizing about distant regions, which was announced by his future broad knowledge of geography.
He received his high school education in Zagreb in Zagreb. mathematics high school, after which he graduated in electrical engineering from college, earning the title of engineer. Formal technical education did not deter him from quizzes – in fact, in parallel with his studies, he continued to nurture his quiz passion. Back in his teenage years, he started participating in television quizzes, which made him enter the world of competitive knowledge early on.
Career quiz before the chase
Before becoming a hunter on television, Vukorepa gained experience for decades as a contestant in various quizzes. His quizzing journey was marked by performances in more popular TV formats:
- 1986 – First television appearance in quiz “numbers and letters” on HRT (at 17 years).
- 1988 – participation in the cult “Kviskotecs”, the favorite quiz of the 80s.
- 1998 – Back to small screens in a quiz “Graduate”, where he demonstrated more mature knowledge.
- 1999 – Performance in the quiz “Challenge”, in which he set a record for the number of points won. This success made him recognizable in quiz circles.
- 2013 – Participation in a special quiz “Eunigma” (On the occasion of Croatia’s entry into the EU) as a successful return to HRT’s quiz scene.
These early performances proved the breadth of Vukorepa’s knowledge and prepared him for later challenges. His result in ‘Challenge’ (recordable quiz result) is especially memorable and the third place won in the renovated ‘Kviskoteka’. Despite continuity in the 80s and 90s, he once made a break from quizzes during the 2000s. Vukorepa himself admits that ‘a whole range of quizzes skipped him for a while’ – he did not perform in popular formats such as “Who wants to be a millionaire” or “1 vs 100”, retiring briefly from the quiz. However, he soon returned to his passion through pub quizzes and special shows, maintaining a reputation as an excellent quiz player.
In addition to appearing on television, Mladen was very active on pub quizzes throughout Croatia. Twice in a row with the team “Beads” He won first place at the national championship in the pub quiz, showing that he does just as well in informal quiz competitions. Also, in 2016, he won a place in the Croatian national team at quiz Olympics in Athens, where he achieved a notable result – 4th place in the sport category. All these experiences strengthened his status in the world of quizzes before the great opportunity that will follow.
Pursuit and entry among the ‘hunters’
“chase” is the Croatian version of the world-famous quiz The Chase, and Vukorepa became part of it at the end of 2017. Then he joined the previous lineup of hunters – Morana Zibar, Dean Kotiga and Krešimir Sučević-Međeral – as a new district hunter. He got the job of a hunter after a call from HRT and a successful audition: he went through an interview with the editor, a demanding written test of knowledge and a test recording where he played a hunter in one episode of the chase. Only after meeting all the criteria was informed that he could perform as a permanent hunter on the next set of filming. Although he had rich quiz experience behind him, Vukorepa admits that his first filming of the chase was “One of the most awesome experiences in life” Because of nervousness. The role of a hunter is significantly different from the role of a competitor he is used to – the hunter must be not only an expert, but also co-host quiz and give humorous comments during the show. Fortunately, host Tarik Filipović noticed his discomfort and collegially supported him during that first performance, which helped them ‘push’ the show together. After that debut performance, each subsequent one was easier, although Vukorepa admits that he still feels a touch of positive trepidation before every recording.
From the first episodes in which he appeared, Mladen Vukorepa left the impression of being calm and focused hunter who does not flaunt his emotions but calmly answers questions. Calmness and vast knowledge are the characteristics by which the audience recognizes and appreciates it. As a hunter, he gained a reputation among spectators and competitors thanks to a combination of quiz erudition and a restrained, somewhat shy charm, which sometimes spices up with subtle humor. Today it is considered the most experienced hunter of the chase – Not only because of the age, but also because of the huge quiz background that enters every show. His presence increased the charm of the quiz for many viewers, and the teams of the competitors know that there is a worthy opponent against ‘Vukorepa’.
In 2023, HRT launched a special spin-off quiz “Superpower”, in which all the hunters participate together against the competitors at the same time. Of course, Vukorepa is also one of the key players in that format, and with its answers it contributes to the success of hunters. He himself says that filming a super chase is even more intense than a regular chase – in one day more competitions are recorded, adrenaline is stronger, the production is more luxurious, a bigger studio and even a live audience present, which brings additional energy. However, he is also amused by the super chase because he performs as a team together with his fellow hunters, whom he normally considers his friends. At the end of the filming day, Vukorepa reveals, the whole team often goes to a relaxing lunch together. This team spirit among hunters further increased the popularity of the quiz and showed viewers that, despite their rivalry with competitors, the hunters are mutually united and friendly.
Popularity on television brought him certain changes in everyday life. He has become a recognizable face, so people often stop him on the street. Vukorepa tries to remain humble and says that he does not allow this fame to change his life too much. He jokes that sometimes he would like to have a ‘familiarity breaker’ – that he can be known when it suits him, and unknown at times when he wants privacy. However, he is grateful that the reactions of fans are mostly very positive, and his popularity has brought him a few small benefits in everyday life.
Private life and hobbies
Despite being a public figure, Mladen Vukorepa his Privacy keeps jealous. Unlike some colleagues, he does not use social networks at all and is very reserved in the media. Viewers thus know about his private life, the least of all chasers hunters, which contributed to his aura of mystery. It is known, however, that He is not married and has no children – In a recent interview in 2024, he openly confirmed that he is still single. One touching moment in the show also revealed a part of his intimacy: in May 2022, at the end of a chase in front of the cameras, Vukorepa shared the emotional news that his mother had passed away, thanking her as the person who is ‘the most deserving of for everything he has achieved in life’. That sincere moment moved the audience and showed how important the family considers, although he rarely talks about it publicly.
As a person, colleagues and friends describe him as modest and introverted individual. Paradoxically, he himself admits that he is somewhat shy, so he humorously says how his Shyness ‘heals’ by performing on national television. In his free time, Mladen cherishes a number of hobbies and interests that relax him outside of quizzes. He is an avid sports fan; Recreational play basketball with the company and strives to remain physically active. He also enjoys hanging out while playing cards, and it is less known to sing – Vukorepa is in a church choir, where he regularly participates in rehearsals and performances. He also remained faithful to quizzes outside television: he often participates in General knowledge pub quizzes, and sometimes on specialized sports quizzes, but make sure that it is not more than one or twice a week so that he does not ‘overdose’ quizzes.
Vukorepine Favorite topics The quizzes include sports and geography, in which it shines thanks to long-term curiosity and knowledge. On the other hand, he likes questions in social sciences and arts less dear to him – he gladly leaves them to his colleagues who are stronger in these areas. It is interesting that almost no learns goal for quizzes; Due to business obligations, he doesn’t have time to systematically ‘nerve’, but he doesn’t even want to learn something that doesn’t interest him at all. Instead, he relies on his extensive general knowledge and daily information monitoring. He admits that quizzes have a ‘professional deformity’ to think of any novelty or trivial information: Could it be a quiz question? – So constantly refreshes knowledge along the way. For him, the game is the key to successful learning: he would rather play a good quiz than memorize the facts, because he believes that knowledge is acquired more easily and fun through the game. That approach of learning through play, with genuine curiosity, is exactly what built him into a superb quizzer.
Greatest successes and recognitions
During his career, Mladen Vukorepa achieved a number of notable achievements and gained recognition in the quiz world. We highlight some of the most important:
- World-level national team: As one of the best Croatian quizzes, Vukorepa was a member of the Croatian team in 2016 at quiz Olympics in Athens, where he excelled, especially in the sport category (won 4th place).
- National pub quiz champion: He is a two-time pub quiz state championship winner, both times with the team “Beads”, which confirms that success also achieves outside TV cameras.
- Top of the Croatian Quiz Scene: For years, it has been at the very top of the list of the Croatian Quiz Association – among over 200 registered quizzes, Vukorepa has been constantly placed in the very top of the ranking list of the best. It shows the continuity of his knowledge and competitive form over time.
- Recorder and TV quiz champion: Even before the chase, he achieved records and high placements – for example, he set Record in the quiz ‘Challenge’, and in the renovated Kviskoteca he won 3rd place in the final. These results strengthened his status as a legendary quizzer even before he became a television ‘hunter’.
Conclusion
Mladen Vukorepa With his work and successes, he became a true icon of quizzes in Croatia. From a versatile boy in love with knowledge, he grew into a nationally known quiz ace whose authority is respected both in front of small screens and in quiz circles. His story shows how curiosity, dedication and lasting play They can achieve notable results – whether it’s winning quizzes or inspiring new generations of knowledge lovers. As the most experienced hunter in the chase, Vukorepa still confirms his status with each show, and viewers can enjoy his performances and learn from his answers. If you were inspired by this biography, consider continuing to expand your horizons yourself – either through participation in a pub quiz, applying to a TV competition or simply through asking questions every day. After all, it is precisely this insatiable curiosity that makes Mladen Vukorepa successful – and what can lead each of us on the path of new knowledge.
