Seven Weeks After Retirement, Cro Cop Reveals: “I’m Slowly Becoming Aware that its Over”

April 23, 2019 – Less than two months ago, Mirko Filipović, better known as Cro Cop, revealed the shocking end of his career. 

Seven weeks after Cro Cop shocked the world by announcing that he was forced to retire, Mirko has slowly returned to training at the legendary Mirko Filipović hall. Dnevnik Nova TV checked in with Cro Cop about his recovery after suffering a stroke.

“I feel good, I take these medicines, I drink four kinds of tablets every day and I have to until June 1. My training is reduced,” Mirko reveals.

In addition to training, Filipović has planned seminars and teaching other fighters in his hall, but he does not want to announce any significant long-term plans.

“We’re going step by step, who knows what life brings tomorrow. I had a million plans seven weeks ago, and the world collapsed at once. Here I was, I turned my head left to right, then stopped and fell unconscious.”

Two fighters Mirko has trained with this week are Croatian-Japanese fighter Satoshi Ishii and Dubrovnik-native Ante Delija.

“For me, nothing has changed, except that he will not fight. As far as training is concerned, he’s always with us. Even more, in fact. He helps and assists us,” says Ante Delija.

Cro Cop’s advice is absorbed by these two fighters, who will soon compete at a strong tournament in the US. Along with them, other fighters train here regularly, such as Saša and Stošić, and some younger athletes.

After finishing his career, Mirko Filipović is also spending a lot of time at home – his house full of winning trophies and acknowledgments. The memories are still fresh. 

“I had a great, huge, rich career, I really have no reason to complain. You need to end it somewhere. I feel a little bit weird now; I’m just becoming aware that it’s over. My life is a bit more relaxed,” says the Pride Grand Prix and K-1 title winner.

While spending more time with family is crucial, Cro Cop also worships his dogs. One of them – Maks – died just after Mirko announced his retirement at the end of February.

“I cried like a baby. They didn’t tell me the same day. My wife called me the next day and she was crying, screaming… they had already buried Maks. And I… I do not know, I mean, it was really hard. My dogs are family members.”

What’s next for Cro Cop? Stay tuned.

Recall, Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipović announced his retirement after suffering a stroke at the end of February 2019. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

 

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