Miro Steržaj

Miro Steržaj (full name Miroslav Steržaj, born 28 February 1933 in Rakek, Municipality of Cerknica) is a Slovene 9 pin bowling player and businessman.
He moved to Ljutomer when he was 17 years old. From 1950 to 1962 he played in KK Ljutomer. In 1962 he moved to KK Branik in Maribor. In 1964 he became the absolute European champion, which means that he won individually, in pairs and in the team (Yugoslavian national team). In 1968 he became World champion in the individual category. He came second in pairs in 1968 (with Jože Turk), 1974 and 1976 (with Nikola Dragaš). He was part of the Yugoslavian national team for 30 years, and won a record 7 individual national Yugoslavian titles.
In 1955 he began to work at Mlekopromet, a cheese producing dairy in Ljutomer. He was commercial director for 12 years, then he became director. In 1993 he retired. After his retirement he became secretary of the Economic association of milk production (GIZ mlekarstva). In 2003 he retired from the association.
From 1988 to 1992 he was mayor of Ljutomer.
He is honorary citizen of Ljutomer. He received the Bloudkova nagrada for his sport results, and the Kraigherjeva nagrada for his business efforts. In 2012 he was inducted into the Slovenian Athletes Hall of Fame.