Hanžeković Memorial, part of the IAAF World Challenge series, will take place in Zagreb, August 28 – 29.
On Friday, August 11, Mayor Bandić and Ivana Brkljačić, director of Hanžeković Memorial athletic event, visited the Mladost athletic stadium, where the 67th Hanžeković Memorial will be held.
First organised in 1951, the athletics event turned into an international event in 1958, and it has been part of the IAAF World Challenge Meetings since 2010. It was named in memory of Boris Hanžeković (1916 – 1945), Zagreb runner who died in Jasenovac concentration camp, where he was imprisoned after having refused to run for the Independent State of Croatia.
Mr Bandić and Ms Brkljačić were joined by Sara Kolak, 2016 Olympic champion in javelin throw, who will be attending the event for the first time.
“We will do all it takes to make this year’s Hanžek the most successful yet. I am glad that Sandra Perković and Sara Kolak, both Olympic champions and athletes who have made our country proud, will be representing Croatia. We hope that our Blanka Vlašić will recover and join the Memorial as well. I wish all of them good luck. Athletic lovers are going to enjoy the show,” Mayor Bandić said, inviting citizens to come and cheer for our athletes.
Ms Ivana Brkljačić, former hammer thrower herself, also addresses the audience.
“On behalf of the organisers, I would like to thank the City of Zagreb and Mayor Milan Bandić for their continued support. Even though some changes might occur, we expect to see the world’s best discus throwers at the Meeting. All three medal winners from the ongoing World Championships in London will be showcasing their talent and skill at an introductory event next to Zagreb fountains, gold medallist Tom Walsh, silver medallist Joe Kovacs, and the best Croatian shot put athlete, Stipe Žunić, who won bronze.We also expect to see Sam Kendricks (USA), the new pole vault world champion, as well as Shawnacy Barber (Canada), who was the champion before that, and they will be joined by our very own Ivan Horvat. When it comes to long jump, we’ll have Luvo Manyonga, also world champion.”
We also expect to see Sam Kendricks (USA), the new pole vault world champion, as well as Shawnacy Barber (Canada), who was the champion before that, and they will be joined by our very own Ivan Horvat. When it comes to long jump, we’ll have Luvo Manyonga, also world champion.”
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Ms Brkljačić added that confirmation about other athletes’ participation will also be announced during the following days.
Hanžek will take place on August 28 and 29. The first event, on August 28, at 7.30 p.m., will be discus throw at a field made specifically for this next to the city fountains (Ulica Hrvatske bratske zajednice). The other events will follow at the Mladost Sports Stadium on August 29.
Tickets for all events are free (no tickets needed for the discus throw event on August 28), and you can pick up the free tickets at Mladost Sports Centre starting August 23 during following times:
August 23 – 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
August 24 – 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
August 25 – 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
August 26 – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
August 27 – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
August 28 – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
August 29 – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Find out more here.
Below you can see Usain Bolt run at Hanžek 2011.
