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As a boy, Matija was not an avid rower. He was only interested in football! Later, he tried his hand at athletics, and then at weightlifting. He was outstanding in everything he did. Since Belišće, the town where he grew up, had a great history of kayaking, Matija soon tried his hand at that sport as well. He suddenly realized that rowing was exactly what he was interested in.

He unexpectedly shined in 1975 at the World Championship in Belgrade. There, Matija, almost a beginner in rowing, won bronze in the 10,000-meter canoe marathon. The following summer, he proved that he was born for the sport. He won gold and bronze at the Olympic Games in Montreal! The people of Belišća then gave him an unforgettable welcome in which all fellow citizens participated! That year, he was declared the best Yugoslav athlete.

Just eight years later, winning another gold and bronze in Los Angeles, he became the most successful Croatian Olympian of all time in individual sports, and he holds that title to this day.

He also won countless gold medals at the world championships and at the Mediterranean Games, and even today he is considered the most trophy-winning Croatian athlete. Those close to him described him as a poor child who succeeded in life, and he is remembered for providing help to anyone who was in need.

After his sports career, he was an official in the Croatian Olympic Committee and coached his son, who followed in his footsteps. According to his son Nikica, Croatian rowing sports did not recover after his untimely departure. Namely, the famous athlete was brutally murdered in the fall of 2000.

The kayak and canoe club in Zagreb is named after him, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Croatian Olympic Committee. In honor of the great athlete, a large memorial regatta of international character is also organized. Matija Ljubek is still today the most famous name in Croatian sports, and the premature loss of this talented athlete is one of its greatest tragedies.