Croatia awards Franjo Bučar lifetime achievement sports honors

Veselin Đuho, Branka Batinić, and Ivan Gudelj have been named recipients of the 2026 Franjo Bučar State Award for Sport for lifetime achievement. Đuho is a two-time Olympic water polo champion, while Batinić is a celebrated table tennis player. The award for Gudelj, a legendary Croatian footballer, is being presented posthumously.

In addition to the lifetime achievement honors, annual awards were granted to several individuals and organizations, including Filip Jurišić, Ante Vukičević, Boris Kljaić, Vedran Dumenčić, Slobodan Glavčić, Predrag Sloboda, Sara Kolak, Dubravko Ižaković, Ivan Huklek, Zvonimir Bilić, Vladimir Mađarević, and the Karate Club Alfa.

Minister of Tourism and Sport Tonči Glavina praised the winners for their dedication and significant impact on Croatian sport. Lifetime achievement recipients receive a diploma, a gold-plated medal featuring Franjo Bučar, and 9,000 euros, while annual award winners receive a silver-plated medal and 4,000 euros.