Newly awarded World Champions Ryan Crouser and Grant Holloway are among a great field of athletes who will compete in Zagreb, organizers announced on thursday.
The oldest sports event in Croatia, Boris Hanžeković Memorijal, this year improves from two-day event to three-day event as Friday, September 9 is reserved for jumps at the main Zagreb’s square – Ban Jelačić Square. 9th Edition of the Ivan Ivančić Memorijal, men’s Shot Put competition will take place at the magical Zagreb’s fountains on September 10 while running and more jumping and throwing events will be welcomed at SRC Mladost on September 11.
Return of the best one as Ryan Crouser will once again try to attack his own Meeting record in the Shot Put which he set at the last year’s edition. His throw of 22.84 m is the furthest throw on European soil since 1988, surely he can improve it.
„I’m so excited to be returning for the Memorial Shot Put competition at the city centre there and the fountains. It’s one of my favorite Meets in the entire world. I’m excited to be back, to have the opportunity to defend my title, throw some big throws and break the Meeting record. Come and watch me!“, announced World record holder Ryan Crouser.
Croatian Filip Mihaljević of course will be competing. He is now in a very important part of preparation for the European Championships as he was the best ranked European in Eugene so he is fully concentrating on Munich.
Double World 110 m hurdles Champion Grant Holloway will debut in Zagreb at the Memorial event.
„This will be my first visit to Zagreb and I have heard great things about this track meeting. I am ready to put on a show for the crowd… See you soon.“, said Holloway.
We will again watch fast 100 m men as last year’s winner, World silver medalist in the 100 m and in the 4×100 m from Eugene, Marvin Bracy will rush to try to beat the Meeting record. He missed Bolt’s Meet record by 0.01 in 2021, the same pace as his PB stands at – 9.85.
„Looking forward to competing in Zagreb in September. I ran 9.86 in 2021 and I am a better athlete in 2022 so watch out here I come!!“
The biggest sprinting talent on earth, 200 m World junior record holder Erriyon Knighton, the record which he set this season, bronze medalist from Eugene will be one of the youngsters at the Meeting. While his World junior record stands at 19.49, he hopes that he can smash the Meeting record of 19.88. He will run 100 m too and could attack the Word Junior record in Zagreb.
„I want to run in all the top track meetings and I have been told this is an event not to miss. I am in very good shape and want to perform well for the crowd. I can’t wait!!“
The highlight of the Meeting will, of course, be home star Sandra Perković in Discus Throw. After winning her 5th World Championships medal, she will chase her 10th win at Zagreb’s Meeting.
Ban Jelačić square will host the first ever jumps competition on Friday, September 9. We will watch street spectacle in Pole Vault Women, Long Jump Men and Triple Jump Women. World
Indoor bronze medalist and 4th in Eugene as the best European, Slovenian Tina Šutej will lead women’s Pole Vault competition. On the other hand, the men’s Long Jump competition will be headed by Marquis Dendy from USA, 6th world’s best jumper in Eugene and World Indoor bronze medalist.
More Croatian athletes are already confirmed too: Discus Thrower Martin Marković who was 23rd in Eugene, multiple Triple Jump National record holder and Champion Paola Borović and Long Jumper Filip Pravdica.