The 71st Boris Hanžeković Memorial – Continental Tour Gold Athletic Rally was recently presented at a press conference in Zagreb. The director of the rally, Robert Šola, pointed out that 11 Olympic champions, 7 world champions, and 16 medal winners from the Tokyo Olympics have already confirmed their participation.
“I can say that we will watch the rally even better than those we have enjoyed all these years. This year, for the first time, we will sell tickets for the Boris Hanžeković Memorial through Entrio, i.e., www.entrio.hr. ” Tickets are already on sale.
The new manager of the rally, Alfons Juck, presented some of the strongest disciplines.
“We have already announced that Sandra Perković will have the opportunity for a rematch against Olympic winner in the discus throw, Valarie Allman, who is also coming to Zagreb. All three medal winners from Tokyo will compete in the men’s discus, and I believe that Daniel Stahl could throw the discus over 70 meters.”
Juck announced three sprint disciplines and listed the main stars. Namely, in the 110-meter hurdles, Tokyo Olympic winner Hansle Parchment, Tokyo bronze medalist Ronald Levy, and Devon Allen, fourth from Tokyo. In the 100 meters (M): first in the world Trayvon Bromell – 9.77, Olympic finalist Ronnie Baker – 9.83, Ferdinand Omurwa – 9.86. In the 200m, Tokyo silver medalist Christine Mboma, Tokyo bronze medalist in the 100m and gold in the 4x100m relay Shericka Jackson, and Tokyo silver medalist in the 400m Marileidy Paulino.
On Tuesday, September 14, spectators could witness a historic moment at Zagreb’s Mladost Stadium. Can the 800-meter race end in under 1:44.00?
There is a good chance that the Zagreb record (1:44.05, and held by Niel Amos) will be forgotten, as four athletes are coming to Zagreb who ran a better time.
The biggest favorite is Bosnia & Herzegovina national Amel Tuka, world runner-up and participant in the final race of the Olympic Games (6th). His personal record is 1:42.51. Next to him are two Kenyan runners – Elias Ngeny (1:43.84) and Patrick Saruni (1:43.25). In addition, the competition is strengthened by the arrival of Puerto Rican Wesley Vazquez (1:43.83). And that’s not all.
At last year’s edition, British athletes took their places on the podium, but can last year’s winner – Daniel Rowden, Elliot Giles (2nd), and 22-year-old, talented Thomas Randolph (Zagreb debutant) repeat their success? Peter Bol also has a legitimate chance of winning after winning fourth place in the 800-meter race in Tokyo.
With so many great runners, this will surely be one of the strongest 800-meter races in the history of the Zagreb event.
The Boris Hanžeković Memorial is the oldest sporting event in Croatia. It is also one of the world’s best athletics meetings. It has been held since 1951 in honor of hurdler Boris Hanžeković, who was killed in WWII.
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