Preview: Boris Hanzeković Memorial in Zagreb
The 75th edition of the Boris Hanzeković Memorial in Zagreb celebrates its historic legacy with a world-class cast of Olympic and World Champions. Kicking off with the traditional shot put contest at Fountains Square, the meet now shifts to the Sports Club Mladost for the main program, featuring global stars like Julien Alfred and Gudaf Tsegay. Held since 1951 in honor of legendary hurdler Boris Hanzeković, the event is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious athletics meetings.
Memorial Ivan Ivancic Shot Put Report:
Payton Otterdahl, fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, claimed a dramatic win in the men's shot put with a best throw of 21.71m, edging New Zealand’s Tom Walsh on countback thanks to a stronger second mark (21.12m vs. 21.09m). Otterdahl becomes only the third man to win at Zagreb’s Fountains Square after Ryan Crouser and Walsh. European champion Leonardo Fabbri finished third with a European lead of 21.63m, just a day after his 21.21m win in Savona. Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (21.58m) and USA’s Roger Steen (21.36m) rounded out the top five.
Women’s High Jump:
Serbian star Angelina Topić, silver medallist at the European Championships, cleared 1.94m on her third try to win the women’s high jump. Jamaica’s Lamara Distin, clean through 1.92m, placed second after failing at 1.94m. Italy’s Idea Pieroni took third with a 1.90m clearance. Topić reflected on her season debut: “I needed time to adjust my run-up, but I’m happy to start the season healthy and back to form.”
Women’s 200 Metres:
Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia (PB 10.72) leads a stacked 200m field after her 21.88 world lead at the Tom Jones Memorial. She’s eyeing Christine Mboma’s meeting record of 22.04. Her competitors include Spain’s Jael Bestué (22.54 PB), Hungary’s Boglárka Takács, Germany’s Jessica-Bianca Wessolly, and Italian teenage talent Elisa Valensin.
Women’s 1500 Metres:
World 10,000m and indoor 1500m record holder Gudaf Tsegay opens her 1500m outdoor season in Zagreb. She’ll face fellow Ethiopian Birke Haylom, the world U20 record holder over the mile and 3000m indoors.
Women’s Discus Throw:
Croatia’s Sandra Elkasević, the Olympic and world champion, targets her 12th win in her 18th appearance in Zagreb. Cuba’s Denia Caballero, the 2015 world champion, offers stiff competition.
Men’s Hammer Throw:
Five-time world champion Paweł Fajdek headlines a loaded hammer throw field. He faces Mykhaylo Kokhan (Ukraine), Bence Halász (Hungary), Eivind Henriksen (Norway), and current world leader Yann Chaussinand of France (81.56m).
Men’s Discus Throw:
Reigning European champion Kristjan Čeh (SB 66.92m) will battle Martynas Alekna, brother of world record holder Mykolas. Čeh won the world title in 2022 and silver in Budapest last year.
Women’s Triple Jump:
Olympic silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts (PB 15.03m) returns to action after a 14.72m win in Doha. She is joined by Jamaica’s Ackelia Smith, Serbia’s Ivana Vuleta, Turkey’s Tugba Danizmas (PB 14.57m), and Finland’s Senni Salminen.
Men’s Long Jump:
Wayne Pinnock, silver medallist at the Worlds, Olympics, and Indoors, leads the men’s long jump. He jumped 8.10m earlier this season in Keqiao.
Men’s 110m Hurdles:
The hurdles feature USA’s Dylan Beard (7.38 60mH), Jamal Britt (13.10 SB), 2016 Olympic champion Omar McLeod, and France’s Pascal Martinot-Lagarde.
Women’s 100m Hurdles:
Alaysha Johnson (12.61w in Savona) will face Bahamian Denisha Cartwright, who equaled her 7.78 PB indoors in Nanjing.
Women’s 400 Metres:
Spain’s Paula Sevilla (50.99) leads the 400m field against Gabby Scott (Puerto Rico) and Sharlene Mawdsley (Ireland), who finished 1-2 in Savona.
Men’s 5000 Metres:
Ethiopian prodigy Biniam Mehary, U20 world indoor record holder over 3000m and 10,000m, faces Norway’s Narve Gilje Nordås, 1500m World finalist.
Men’s 800 Metres:
Dutch European indoor champion Samuel Chapple will clash with Algeria’s Slimane Moula, Kenya’s Noah Kibet, and Britain’s Justin Davis.
Women’s 800 Metres:
Oceanian record holder Catriona Bisset (1:57.76) takes on Slovenia’s Anita Horvat, a world finalist and 2025 European indoor bronze medallist.
