Hiti is considered Slovenia's most successful ice hockey player. The now 67-year-old started his career in 1962 in Jesenice (NW), going on to become an internationally acclaimed player and coach.

He won four national championship titles in former Yugoslavia with his teams. He played at 17 World Championships for Yugoslavia - a world record - and went to two Winter Olympic Games. He retired in 1986 and was inducted to the Hall of Fame of the International Ice Hockey Federation in 2005.

Another retired athlete, former basketball player Vilfan, was honoured for his international achievements. He played in the national team of the former Yugoslavia that became the world champions in 1978 and won bronze four years later.

He was the most successful Slovenian basketball player of his time. He retired as captain of the first Slovenian national team roster and opened one of the first basketball schools in the country in 1993.

Marguč, an active snowboarder, won the 2013 Snowboarding World Championship in parallel slalom. The same discipline also brought him bronze at the World Championship in 2011, when he also won silver in parallel giant slalom.

The Bloudek Award panel also honoured Srečko Remih, a phys-ed teacher, for his contribution to the development of sport in his town of Podčetrtek as well as in Slovenia in general.