Date June–September Established 1951 Event type Track and field athletics | Location Zagreb, Croatia Official site Hanžeković Memorial | |
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Iaaf world challenge meeting han ekovi memorial
Hanžeković Memorial (Croatian: Hanžekovićev memorijal) is an athletics event at the Sportski park Mladost athletic stadium in Zagreb, Croatia as part of the IAAF World Challenge Meetings. It was first organized in 1951.
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Name
The meeting got its name in memory of renowned Zagreb runner Boris Hanžeković. Born on 10 November 1916, Hanžeković graduated law in Zagreb, but became known for winning races in different disciplines; he was the junior state champion in 100 and 200 meter races multiple times, in the 110 m hurdles and in both 4 x 100 metres relay and 4 x 400 metres relay. He ran for HŠK Concordia. During World War II, Hanžeković refused to run for the Independent State of Croatia. Charged with associating with the Partisans, he was imprisoned in the Jasenovac concentration camp where he was killed in the inmate breakout on 22 April 1945.
History
Hanžek (which is popular name of meeting) was held first time in 1951, but at the beginning that was a meeting of local type. Just seven years later, in 1958, Hanžek became an international competition. From 1999 to 2009 the IAAF classified the Hanžeković Memorial among IAAF Grand Prix meetings.