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Foto: Renato Branđolica/BHM
The final stop of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold in 2024 will be hosted in Zagreb, at three different locations, from September 6 to Sjeptember 8
Rio 2016 Olympic javelin throw champion and forth from Paris Sara Kolak (CRO), European U18 javelin throw champion, European U18 discus throw bronze medallist Vita Barbić (CRO) and 2024 Olympic hammer thrower Matija Gregurić (CRO) are among a great field of athletes who will compete in Zagreb, organizers announced today.
The oldest sports event in Croatia, Boris Hanžeković Memorial will be, for the third year in a row, held as a three-day event. The 6 September is reserved for both women’s and men’s long jump at the main Zagreb’s square – Ban Jelačić Square. 10th edition of the Ivan Ivančić Memorial, men’s Shot Put competition, will take place at the magical Zagreb’s fountains on 7 September while running and more jumping and throwing events will be welcomed at SRC Mladost on 8 September.
Local stars are excited to compete at the Boris Hanžeković Memorial as well. The 2016 Olympic javelin throw champion and fourth placer in Paris Sara Kolak is pleased to finish the season at home – at the Boris Hanžeković Memorial.
„Making two Olympic finals was a dream come true. I had a short break after Paris and now I have already started my preparations for the Boris Hanžeković Memorial. I am looking forward to competing in front of the home crowd, this year it will be special. I have not been at home for a really long time and it makes my heart full to be back at home and to spend time with my loved ones. It is hard to say whether the meeting record will be broken or not but one thing is for sure – every athlete wants to throw that far,“ said Kolak.
Newly crowned double European U18 medallist Vita Barbić will compete in women’s javelin throw at the Meeting. It will be her debout at the Meeting as she just turned 17.
„It was only a couple of years ago when I was watching the best athletes in the world compete at the Boris Hanžeković Memorial and I was collecting autographs from them. That is why I did not expect to compete at the Meeting so soon. It is a dream come true to compete with Sara Kolak, 2016 Olympic champion, and with Haruka Kitaguchi, Paris 2024 Olympic champion. I will really enjoy competing with seniors and will do it without any pressure. Competing at the Zagreb Meeting will be like a cherry on the top for the season. Even though I will compete in javelin throw, I keep practicing discus throw as well. It is great to know that I have two cards to play. When I do not do well in one event, there is always a second one to be good at. A lot of my family members will come to watch me live at the Zagreb Meeting which makes me really happy,“ said talented Vita Barbić.
Men’s hammer throw competition is back to the Boris Hanžeković Memorial after 12 years. The reason for it is the Croatian hammer thrower Matija Gregurić, Olympian, European finalist and world U18 champion.
„12 years ago I was watching men’s hammer throw from the stands. I am really grateful to get the opportunity to compete at the Meeting and make my dream come true. I am extremely proud to compete in Zagreb against Olympic and world champion Ethan Katzberg (CAN), Olympic bronze medallist Mykhaylo Kokhan (UKR) and five-time world champion Pawel Fajdek (POL). Elite hammer throwers are back to Zagreb and it is a really special feeling to compete among them,“ concluded Gregurić.
Men’s hammer throw competition is back in Zagreb after 12 years as the local Matija Gregurić will be among the competitors
Natko Bošnjak, the project manager of the Boris Hanžeković Memorial, shared a series of interesting organizational details and announced a few more world stars.
“We are proud to once again host the best athletes in the world in Zagreb. No less than 16 Paris 2024 Olympic medallists will be competing at the Boris Hanžeković Memorial. Double Paris 2024 medallist Jasmine Moore (USA) and Paris 2024 triple jump silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts (JAM) will compete in women’s long jump at the Zagreb City Challenge on 6 September. Croatian Filip Pravdica, Paris 2024 long jump finalist and Zagreb City Challenge 2023 winner, will be one of the local stars of the three-day athletics spectacle in Zagreb,“ said Bošnjak.
He added that the 10th edition of the Ivan Ivančić Memorial, men’s shot put competition which will be held on 7 September, will gather all three Paris 2024 medallists – world record holder Ryan Crouser (USA), Joe Kovacs (USA) and Rajindra Campbell (JAM). There will be, of course, European silver medallist and local star Filip Mihaljević (CRO), as well as the European champion Leonardo Fabbri (ITA).
In the end, the finest duel in women’s discus throw will be held on 8 September with double Olympic champion and Olympic bronze medallist Sandra Elkasević (CRO) who will face double Olympic champion and recent Paris 2024 winner Valarie Allman (USA).
„This event is one of my favourites. It is really special to be at the competition where the women’s discus throw is so celebrated, especially based on the prestige Sandra (Elkasević) has given to the event. I am very much looking forward to competing in Zagreb,“ said Allman via video message.
“Entry is free on the first two days, and tickets for the third day are available through the ulaznice.hr system. Tickets are selling fast, so hurry to secure your seats in the stadium.”
Among the other activities of the 74th Boris Hanžeković Memorial, Bošnjak highlighted the Second BHM athletics conference for which the registrations are open until 5 September. All interested can register here. Furthermore, Bošnjak invited all media representatives to attend the Media Brunch on 9 September to conclude this years’ event and announce the 75th Boris Hanžeković Memorial. |
