Although the Hanžeković Memorial is linked to Zagreb, the Meeting was held outside of Croatia’s capital once in its 63-year long history. It was in 1981, when the Maksimir Stadium was being renovated for the European Athletics Cup and the 31st Meeting was held in Karlovac.
The main star of the Meeting was USA’s Brian Oldfield, the then shot put world record holder (his 22.86 was the unofficial world record, because Oldfield was „violating“ the then strict rules of amateur sport with some of his marketing arrangements). The athlete, who popularized the rotational shot put technique, won in Karlovac with 20.82 and entertained the audience with his peculiar looks (long hair and beard) and unconventional behaviour.